Prince Hagen

by Upton Sinclair

ever let this happen again. I have sent word you are to have another

  hundred million by nine-thirty. Will that do? Don't take chances. Oh,

  Rutherford! Tell Rutherford my terms are that the directors of the

  Fidelity Life Insurance Company are to resign, and he is to go to

  China for six months. Yes. I mean that literally . . . Plimpton? What

  do I want with his banks . . . I've got my own money . . . And, oh, by

  the way, Isman . . . call up the White House again, and tell the

  President that the regulars will be needed in New York . . . . No, I

  understand you . . . I think I've fixed matters up at this end. I've

  got two hundred guards up here, and they're picked men . . . they'll

  shoot if there's need. I'm not talking about it, naturally . . . but

  I'm taking care of myself. You keep your nerve, Isman. It'll all be

  over in a month or two more . . . these fellows are used to having

  their own way, and they make a fuss. And, by the way, as to the

  newspapers . . . we'll turn out that paper trust crowd, and stop

  selling paper to the ones that are making trouble. That'll put an end

  to it, I fancy. You had best get after it yourself, and have it

  attended to promptly. You might think of little things like that

  yourself, Isman . . . no, you're all right; only you haven't got

  enough imagination. But just get onto this job, and let me hear that

  it's done before morn- ing. Good-bye. [Hangs up receiver.] Humph! [To

  GERALD.] They've about got your father's nerve.

  GER. I can't say that I blame him very much. [In somber thought.]

  Really, you know, Prince Hagen, this can't go on. What's to be the end

  of it?

  HAGEN. [Laughing.] Oh, come, come, Gerald . . . don't bother your head

  with things like that! You're a poet . . . you must keep your

  imagination free from such dismal matters . . . . See, I've got a job

  for you. [Pointing to books on table.] Do you notice the titles?

  GER. [Has been handling the books absent-mindedly; now looks at

  titles.] The Saints' Everlasting Rest. Pilgrim's Progress. The Life of

  St. Ignatius. . . . What does that mean?

  HAGEN. I'm studying up on religion. I want to know the language.

  GER. I See!

  HAGEN. But I don't seem to get hold of it very well. I think it's the

  job for you.

  GER. How do you mean?

  HAGEN. I'm getting ready to introduce Morality into Nibelheim.

  GER. What?

  HAGEN. [Playfully.] You remember you talked to me about it a long time

  ago. And now I've come to your way of thinking. Suppose I gave you a

  chance to civilize the place, to teach those wretched creatures to

  love beauty and virtue?

  GER. It would depend upon what your motive was in inviting me.

  HAGEN. My Motive? What has that to do with it? Virtue is virtue, is it

  not? . . . No matter what I think about it?

  GER. Yes.

  HAGEN. And virtue is its own reward?

  GER. Perhaps so.

  HAGEN. Let us grant that the consequences of educating and elevating

  the Nibelungs . . . of teaching them to love righteousness . . . would

  be that they were deprived of all their gold, and forced to labor at

  getting more for a wicked capitalist like me. Would it not still be

  right to teach them?

  GER. It might, perhaps.

  HAGEN. Then you will try it?

  GER. No . . . I'm afraid not.

  HAGEN. Why not?

  GER. [Gravely.] Well . . . for one thing . . . I have weighty reasons

  for doubting the perfectibility of the Nibelungs.

  HAGEN. [Gazes at him; then shakes with laughter.] Really, Gerald, that

  is the one clever thing I've heard you say !

  GER. [Laughing.] Thank you!

  HAGEN. [Rises and looks at watch.] Your mother was coming down. Ah !

  Mrs. Isman !

  MRS. IS. [Enters, left.] Good afternoon, Prince Hagen.

  HAGEN. And how go things?

  MRS. IS. I've just had a telegram from my brother. He says that the

  Archbishop of Canterbury never goes abroad, and was shocked at the

  suggestion; but he thinks two million might fetch him.

  HAGEN. Very well . . . offer it.

  MRS. IS. Do you really think it's worth that?

  HAGEN. My dear lady, it is worth anything if it will make you happy

  and add to the eclat of the wedding. There's nothing too good for

  Estelle.

  MRS. IS. Ah, what a wonderful man you are. [Eyeing him.] I was

  wondering how rose pink would go with your complexion.

  HAGEN. Dear me! Am I to wear rose pink?

  MRS. IS. No, but I'm planning the decoration for the wedding breakfast

  . . . . And I'm puzzled about the flowers. I'm weary of orchids and la

  France roses . . . Mrs. Bagley-Willis had her ball room swamped with

  them last week.

  HAGEN. We must certainly not imitate Mrs. Bagley-Willis.

  MRS. IS. [Complacently.] I fancy she's pretty nearly at the end of her

  rope. My maid tells me she couldn't pay her grocer's bill till she got

  that million from you!

  HAGEN. Ha, ha, ha!

  MRS. IS. I wish you'd come with me for a moment . . . I have some

  designs for the breakfast menu . . .

  HAGEN. Delighted, I'm sure. [They go off, left.]

  GER. Oh, my God!

  EST. [Enters in a beautiful afternoon gown, and carrying an armful of

  roses; she is nervous and preoccupied.] Ah! Gerald!

  GER. Estelle. [He watches her in silence; she arranges flowers.]

  EST. How goes the poem, Gerald?

  GER. The poem! Who could think of a poem at a time like this?

  [Advancing toward her.] Estelle! I can bear it no longer!

  EST. What?

  GER. This crime! I tell you it's a crime you're committing!

  EST. Oh, Gerald! Don't begin that again. You know it's too late. And

  it tears me to pieces!

  GER. I can't help it. I must say it!

  EST. [Hurrying toward him.] Brother ! You must not say another word to

  me! I tell you you must not . . . I can't bear it!

  GER. Estelle . . .

  EST. No, I say . . . no! I've given my word! My honor is pledged, and

  it's too late to turn back. I have permitted father to incur

  obligations before all the world

  GER. But, Estelle, you don't know. If you understood all ...all...

  EST. [With sudden intensity.] Gerald! I know what you mean! I have

  felt it! You know more about Prince Hagen than you have told me. There

  is some secret- something strange. [She stares at him wildly.] I don't

  want to know it! Gerald . . . don't you understand? We are in that

  man's hands! We are at his mercy! Don't you know that he would never

  give me up? He would follow me to the end of the earth! He would wreck

  the whole world to get me! I am in a cage with a wild beast!

  [They stare at each other.]

  GER. [In sudden excitement.] Estelle!

  EST. What?

  GER. Can it be that you love this man?

  EST. [Startled.] I don't know! How can I tell? He terrifies me. He

  fascinates me. I don't know what to make of him. And I don't dare to

  think. [Wildly.] And what difference does it make? I have promised to

  marry him!

  [MRS. ISMAN enters, left, and listens.]

  EST. And I must keep my word! You must not try
to dissuade me . . .

  MRS. IS. Estelle!

  EST. Mother!

  MRS. IS. Has Gerald been tormenting you again? My child, my child . .

  . I implore you, don't let that madness take hold of you! Think of our

  position. [Attempts to embrace her.] I know how it is . . . I went

  through with it myself. We women all have to go through with it. I did

  not care for your father . . . it nearly broke my heart. I was madly

  in love at the time . . . truly I was! But think what will become of

  us . . .

  EST. [Vehemently, pushing her away.] Mother! I forbid you to speak

  another word to me! I will not bear it! I will keep my bargain. I will

  do what I have said I will do. But I will not have you talk to me

  about it . . . Do you understand me?

  MRS. IS. My dear!

  EST. Please go! Both of you! I wish to be alone!

  MRS. IS. [In great agitation.] Oh, dear me! dear me!

  [Exit, left.]

  GER. Good-bye!

  [Exit, right; ESTELLE recovers herself by an effort; stands by table

  in thought. Twilight has begun to gather.]

  HAGEN. [Enters by veranda.] Ah ! Estelle! [Comes toward her.] My

  beautiful! [Makes to embrace her.] Not yet?

  EST. [Faintly.] Prince Hagen, I told you . . .

  HAGEN. I know, I know! But how much longer? I love you! The sight of

  you is fire in my veins. Have I not been patient? The time is very

  short . . . when will you let me . . .

  [Advances.]

  EST. [Gasping.] Give me . . . give me till tomorrow!

  HAGEN. [Gripping his hands.] To-morrow! Very well! [Turns to table.]

  Ah, flowers! Do you like the new poppies?

  EST. They are exquisite!

  HAGEN. [Sits in chair.] Well, we've had a busy day today.

  EST. Yes. You must be tired.

  HAGEN. In your house? No!

  EST. Rest, even so. [Goes to piano.] I will play for you. [Sits, and

  takes Rheingold score.] One of Gerald's scores.

  [Plays a little, then sounds the Nibelung theme. PRINCE HAGEN starts.

  She repeats it.]

  HAGEN. No . . . no!

  EST. Why-what's the matter?

  HAGEN. That music! What is it?

  EST. It's some of the Nibelung music. Gerald had it here.

  HAGEN. Don't play it! [Hesitating.] Music jars on me now . . . I've

  too much on my mind.

  EST. [Rising.] Oh . . . very well. It is time for tea, anyway. Have

  you talked with father today?

  HAGEN. Three times. He is in the thick of the fight. He plays the game

  well.

  EST. He has played it a long time.

  HAGEN. Yes. ['Phone rings.] Ah! What is that? [Takes receiver.] Hello!

  Yes . . . oh, Isman ! I see' More trouble in Fifth Avenue, hey? Well,

  are the regulars there? Why don't they fire? Women and children in

  front! Do they expect to accomplish anything by that? No, don't call

  me up about matters like that, Isman. The orders have been given. No .

  . . not an inch! Let the orders be carried out. That is all. Good-bye.

  Hangs up receiver.

  EST. [Has been listening in terror.] Prince Hagen!

  HAGEN. Well?

  EST. What does that mean?

  HAGEN. It means that the slums are pouring into Fifth Avenue.

  EST. [A pause.] What do they want?

  HAGEN. Apparently they want to burn my palace.

  EST. And the orders . . . what are the orders?

  HAGEN. The orders are to shoot, and to shoot straight.

  EST. Is it for me that you are doing this?

  HAGEN. How do you mean?

  EST. You told me you brought all the world and laid it at my feet. Is

  this part of the process?

  HAGEN. Yes, this is part.

  EST. [Stares at him intently; whispers.] How do you do it?

  HAGEN. What?

  EST. What is the secret of your power? They are millions, and you are

  only one . . . yet you have them bound! Is it some spell that you have

  woven? [A pause; HAGEN stares at her. She goes on, with growing

  intensity and excitement.] They are afraid of your gold! Afraid of

  your gold! All the world is afraid of it! It is nothing -it is a dream

  . . . it is a nightmare! If they would defy you . . . if they would

  open their eyes . . . it would go as all nightmares go! But you have

  made them believe in it! They cower and cringe before it! They toil

  and slave for it! They take up arms and murder their brothers for it !

  They sell their minds and their souls for it! And all because no one

  dares to defy you! No one! No one! [In a sudden transport of passion.]

  I defy you! [PRINCE HAGEN starts; she gazes at him wildly.] I will not

  marry you! I will not sell myself to you! Not for any price that you

  can offer . . . not for any threat that you can make! Not in order

  that my mother may plan wedding breakfasts and triumph over Mrs.

  Bagley-Willis! Not in order that my father may rule in Wall Street and

  command the slaughter of women and children! Nor yet for the fear of

  anything that you can do!

  HAGEN. [In a low voice.] Have you any idea what I will do?

  EST. [Desperately.] I know what you mean . . . you have me at your

  mercy! You have your guards - I am in a trap! And you mean force . . .

  I have felt it in all your actions . . . behind all your words. Very

  well! There is a way of escape, even from that; and I will take it!

  You can compel me to kill myself; but you can never compel me to marry

  you! Not with all the power you can summon . . . not with all the

  wealth of the world! Do you understand me? [They stare at each other.]

  I have heard you talk with my brother, and I know what are your ideas.

  You came to our civilization, and tried it, and found it a lie. Virtue

  and honor . . . justice and mercy . . . all these things were

  pretenses . . . snares for the unwary. There was no one you could not

  frighten with your gold! That is your creed, and so far it has served

  you . . . but no farther! There is one thing in the world you cannot

  get . . . one thing that is beyond the reach of all your cunning! And

  that is a woman's soul. [With a gesture of exultant triumph.] You

  cannot buy me!

  HAGEN. Estelle!

  EST. Go!

  HAGEN. [Stretching out his arms to her.] I love you!

  EST. You love me! The slave driver . . . with his golden whip!

  HAGEN. Even so . . . I love you.

  EST. What do you know of love? What does the word mean to you? Before

  love must come justice and honor, with it come mercy and self-

  sacrifice . . . all things that you deride and trample on. What have

  you to do with love?

  HAGEN. [With intensity.] I love you! More than anything else in all

  the world . . . I love you !

  EST. [Stares at him.] More than your power?

  HAGEN. Estelle! Listen to me! You do not know what my life has been!

  But I can say this for myself . . . I have sought the best that I

  know. I have sought Reality. [A pause.] I seek your love! I seek those

  things which you have, and which I have not. [Fiercely.] Do you think

  that I have not felt the difference?

  EST. [In a startled whisper.] No!

  HAGEN. That which you have, and which I have not, has become all the

  world to me! I love you . . . I cannot live witho
ut you. I will follow

  you wherever you command. Only teach me how to win your love.

  EST. I cannot make terms with you. I will not hear of love from you

  while you have force in your hands.

  HAGEN. I will leave your home. I will set you free. I will humble

  myself before you. What else can I do?

  EST. You can lay down your power.

  HAGEN. Estelle! Those are mere words.

  EST. No!

  HAGEN. Who is to take up the power? Shall I hand it back to those who

  had it before? Are Plimpton and Rutherford better fitted to wield it

  than I?

  EST. [Vehemently.] Give it to the people!

  HAGEN. The people! Do you believe that in that mass of ignorance and

  corruption which you call the people there is the power to rule the

  world?

  EST. What is it that has made the people corrupt? What is it that has

  kept them in ignorance? What is it but your gold? It lies upon them

  like a mountain's weight! It crushes every aspiration for freedom...

  every effort after light! Teach them... help them... then see if they

  cannot govern themselves!

  HAGEN. I meant to do it...

  EST. Yes... so does every rich man! When only he has the time to think

  of it! When only his power is secure! I have heard my father say it...

  a score of times. But there are always new rivals to trample... new

  foes to fight... new wrongs and horrors to be perpetrated! The time to

  do it is now... NOW!

  HAGEN. Estelle...

  CAL. [Enters hurriedly.] Prince Hagen!

  HAGEN. What is it?

  CAL. A message from Isman. There is bad news from Washington.

  HAGEN. Well?

  CAL. A. bill has been introduced in Congress... it is expected to pass

  both houses to-night... your property is to be confiscated!

  HAGEN. What!

  CAL. The sources of natural wealth... the land and the mines and the

  railroads... all are to become public property. It is to take effect

  at once!

  EST. [Pointing at him in exultation.] Aha! It has come!

  [They stare at each other.]

  CAL. I tried to get more information... but I was cut off...

  HAGEN. Cut off!

  CAL. I think the wires are down... I can't get any response.

  HAGEN. I see! [Stands in deep thought; laughs.] Well... [To ESTELLE.]

  At least Plimpton and Rutherford are buried with me! [To CALKINS.]

  Send to town at once and have the wires seen to. And try to learn what

  you can.

  CAL. Yes, sir... at once! [Exit.]

  EST. They have done it themselves, you see!

  HAGEN. Yes... I see.

  GER. [Enters, centre; stands looking from one to the other.] Well,

  Prince Hagen... it looks as if the game was up.

  HAGEN. You've heard the news?

  GER. From Washington? Yes. And more than that. Your guards have

  revolted.

  HAGEN. What! Here?

  GER. Yes. We're prisoners of war, it seems.

  EST. Gerald!

  HAGEN. How do you know?

  GER. They've sent a delegation to tell us. They've cut the telephone

  wires, blocked the roads, and shut us in.

  HAGEN. What do they want?

  GER. They don't condescend to tell us that. They simply inform us that

  the woods are guarded, and that anyone who tries to leave the camp

  will be shot.

  EST. [In fright.] Prince Hagen!

  [HAGEN stands motionless.]

  GER. [Solemnly.] Hagen, the game is up!

  HAGEN. [In deep thought.] Yes. The game is up. [A pause.] Gerald!

  GER. Well?

  HAGEN. [Points to violin.] Play!

  GER. [Startled.] No!

  HAGEN. Play!