Prince Hagen

by Upton Sinclair

GER. You will go?

  HAGEN. Yes. I will go. But I will come back! Play! [GERALD takes the

  violin and plays the Nibelung theme.] Louder!

  GERALD plays the Nibelung music, which is taken up by the orchestra

  and mounts to a climax, in the midst of which HAGEN pronounces a sort

  of incantation.

  Mimi! Mimi! Open the gates of wonderland! Bring back the mood of

  phantasy, and wake us from our evil dream!

  Silence. Then answering echoes of the music are heard, faintly, from

  the fireplace. There are rappings and murmurings underground, rumbling

  and patter of feet, and all the sounds of Nibelheim. As the music

  swells louder, the trap doors slide open, and MIMI appears, amid steam

  and glare of light. ESTELLE sees him, and recoils in terror. A company

  of Nibelungs emerge one by one. They peer about timidly, recognize

  HAGEN, and with much trepidation approach him. MIMI clasps his hand,

  and they surround him with joyful cries. He moves toward the

  fireplace, and the steam envelops him.

  EST. [Starts toward him, stretching out her arms to him.] Prince

  Hagen!

  HAGEN. Farewell!

  He gradually retires, and disappears with the Nibelungs. The orchestra

  sounds the motive of Siegfried Triumphant.

  CURTAIN