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!
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