I would smash it, as a child smashes a toy; I would toss it about... as
your brother the poet tosses his metaphors. But then I saw you, and in a
flash all that was changed. You were beautiful... you were interesting.
You were something in the world worth winning... something I had not
known about before. But you stood upon the pinnacle of Privilege... you
gathered the clouds about your head. How should I climb to you?

EST. [Frightened.] I see!

HAGEN. I came to your home... I was turned from the door. So I set to
work to break my way to you.

EST. I see!

HAGEN. And that is how I love you. You are all there is in the game to
me. I bring the world and lay it at your feet. It is all yours. You do
not like what I do with it, perhaps. Very well... take it and do better.
The power is yours for the asking! Power without end! [He reaches
out his arms to her; a pause.] You do not like my way of love-making,
perhaps. You find me harsh and rude. But I love you. And where, among
the men that you know, will you find one who can feel for you what I
feel... who would dare for you what I have dared? [Gazes at her with
intensity.] Take your time. I have no wish to hurry you. But you must
know that, wherever you go, my hand is upon you. All that I do, I do for
the love of you.

EST. [Weakly.] I... you frighten me!

HAGEN. All the world I lay at your feet! You shall see.

PLIM. [Off left.] Prince Hagen!

HAGEN. [Starting.] Ah!

PLIM. [Enters, running, in great agitation, with a telegram.] Prince
Hagen!

HAGEN. Well?

PLIM. I have a report from London. The market has gone all to pieces!

HAGEN. Ah!

PLIM. Pennsylvania coal is down twenty-five points in the first half
hour. I'm lost... everything is lost!

RUTH. [Running on.] Prince Hagen! Steel is down to four! And the Bank of
England suspends payments! What...

PLIM. What do you want with us? What are you trying to do?

RUTH. [Wildly.] You've crushed us! We're helpless, utterly helpless!

PLIM. Have you no mercy? Aren't you satisfied when you've got us down?

RUTH. Are you going to ruin everybody? Are you a madman?

PLIM. What are you trying to do? What do you want?

HAGEN. [Has been listening in silence. Suddenly he leaps into action, an
expression of furious rage coming upon his face. His eyes gleam, and he
raises his hand as if to strike the two.] Get down on your knees!

PLIM. Ha!

RUTH. What?

HAGEN. [Louder.] Get down on your knees! [PLIMPTON sinks in