PRINCE HAGEN
UPTON SINCLAIR
CHARACTERS (In order of appearance)
Gerald Isman : a poet.
Mimi: a Nibelung.
Alberich: King of the Nibelungs.
Prince Hagen: his grandson.
Mrs. Isman.
Hicks: a butler.
Mrs. Bagley-Willis: mistress of Society.
John Isman: a railroad magnate.
Estelle Isman : his daughter.
Plimpton: the coal baron.
Rutherford: lord of steel.
De Wiggleston Riggs: cotillon leader.
Lord Alderdyce: seeing America.
Calkins: Prince Hagen's secretary.
Nibelungs; members of Society.
ACT I
SCENE I. Gerald Isman's tent in Quebec.
SCENE 2. The Hall of State in Nibelheim.
ACT II
Library in the Isman home on Fifth Avenue: two years later.
ACT III
Conservatory of Prince Hagen's palace on Fifth Avenue. The wind-up
of the opening ball: four months later.
ACT IV
Living room in the Isman camp in Quebec: three months later.
ACT I
SCENE I
[Shows a primeval forest, with great trees, thickets in background,
and moss and ferns underfoot. A set in the foreground. To the left is
a tent, about ten feet square, with a fly. The front and sides are
rolled up, showing a rubber blanket spread, with bedding upon it; a
rough stand, with books and some canned goods, a rifle, a fishing-rod,
etc. Toward centre is a trench with the remains of a fire smoldering
in it, and a frying pan and some soiled dishes beside it. There is a
log, used as a seat, and near it are several books, a bound volume of
music lying open, and a violin case with violin. To the right is a
rocky wall, with a cleft suggesting a grotto.]
[At rise: GERALD pottering about his fire, which is burning badly,
mainly because he is giving most of his attention to a bound volume of
music which he has open. He is a young man of twenty-two, with wavy
auburn hair; wears old corduroy trousers and a grey flannel shirt,
open at the throat. He stirs the fire, then takes violin and plays the
Nibelung theme with gusto.]
GERALD. A plague on that fire! I think I'll make my supper on prunes
and crackers to-night!
[Plays again.]
MIMI. [Enters left, disguised as a pack-peddler; a little wizened up
man, with long, unkempt grey hair and beard, and a heavy bundle on his
back.] Good evening, sir!
GERALD. [Starts.] Hello!
MIMI. Good evening!
GERALD. Why . . . who are you?
MIMI. Can you tell me how I find the road, sir?
GERALD. Where do you want to go?
MIMI. To the railroad.
GERALD. Oh, I see! You got lost?
MIMI. Yes, sir.
GERALD. [Points.] You should have turned to the right down where the
roads cross.
MIMI. Oh. That's it!
[Puts down burden and sighs.]
GERALD. Are you expecting to get to the railroad to-night?
MIMI. Yes, sir.
GERALD. Humph! You'll find it hard going. Better rest. [Looks him
over, curiously.] What are you--a peddler?
MIMI. I sell things. Nice things, sir. You buy?
[Starts to open pack.]
GERALD. No. I don't want anything.
MIMI. [Gazing about.] You live here all alone?
GERALD. Yes . . . all alone.
MIMI. [Looking of left.] Who lives in the big house?
GERALD. That's my father's camp.
MIMI. Humph! Nobody in there?
GERALD. The family hasn't come up yet.
MIMI. Why don't you live there?
GERALD. I'm camping out--I prefer the tent.
MIMI. Humph! Who's your father?
GERALD. John Isman's his name.
MIMI. Rich man, hey?
GERALD. Why . . . yes. Fairly so.
MIMI. I see people here last year.
GERALD. Oh! You've been here before?
MIMI. Yes. I been here. I see young lady. Very beautiful!
GERALD. That's my sister, I guess.
MIMI. Your sister. What you call her?
GERALD. Her name's Estelle.
MIMI. Estelle! And what's your name?
GERALD. I'm Gerald Isman.
MIMI. Humph! [Looking about, sees violin.] You play music, hey?
GERALD. Yes.
MIMI. You play so very bad?
GERALD. [Laughs.] Why . . . what makes you think that?
MIMI. You come 'way off by yourself!
GERALD. Oh! I see! No . . . I like to be alone.
MIMI. I hear you playing . . . nice tune.
GERALD. Yes. You like music?
MIMI. Sometimes. You play little quick tune . . . so?
[Hums.]
GERALD. [Plays Nibelung theme.] This?
MIMI. [Eagerly.] Yes. Where you learn that?
GERALD. That's the Nibelung music.
MIMI. Nibelung music! Where you hear it?
GERALD. Why . . . it's in an opera.
MIMI. An opera?
GERALD. It's by a composer named Wagner.
MIMI. Where he hear it?
GERALD. [Laughs.] Why . . . I guess he made it up.
MIMI. What's it about? Hey?
GERALD. It's about the Nibelungs.
MIMI. Nibelungs?
GERALD. Queer little people who live down inside the earth, and spend
all their time digging for gold.
MIMI. Ha! You believe in such people?
GERALD. [Amused.] Why . . . I don't know . . .
MIMI. You ever see them?
GERALD. No . . . but the poets tell us they exist.
MIMI. The poets, hey? What they tell you about them?
GERALD. Well, they have great rocky caverns, down in the depths of the
earth. And they have treasures of gold . . . whole caves of it. And
they're very cunning smiths . . . they make all sorts of beautiful
golden vessels and trinkets.
MIMI. Trinkets, hey! [Reaches into bundle.] Like this, hey?
[Holds up a gold cup.]
GERALD. [Surprised.] Oh!
MIMI. Or this, hey?
GERALD. Why . . . where did you get such things?
MIMI. Ha, ha! You don't know what I got!
GERALD. Let me see them.
MIMI. You think the Nibelungs can beat that, hey? [Reaches into bag.]
Maybe I sell you this cap! [Takes out a little cap of woven gold
chains.] A magic cap, hey?
GERALD. [Astounded.] Why . . . what is it?
MIMI. [Puts it on his head.] You wear it . . . so. And you play
Nibelung music, and you vanish from sight . . . nobody finds you. Or I
sell you the magic ring . . . you wear that . . . [Hands it to
GERALD.] Put it on your finger . . . so. Now you play, and the
Nibelungs come . . . they dance about in the woods . . . they bring
you gold treasures . . . ha, ha, ha! [Amused at GERALD's perplexity.]
What you think they look like, hey? . . . those Nibelungs!
GERALD. Why . . . I don't know . . .
MIMI. What do your poets tell you? ha?
GERALD. Why . . . they're little men . .
. with long hair and funny
clothes . . . and humpbacked.
MIMI. Look like me, hey?
GERALD. [Embarrassed.] Why . . . yes . . . in a way.
MIMI. What are their names?
GERALD. Their names?
MIMI. Yes . . . what ones do you know about?
GERALD. Well, there was Alberich, the king.
MIMI. Alberich!
GERALD. He was the one who found the Rheingold. And then there was
Hagen, his son.
MIMI. Hagen!
GERALD. He killed the hero, Siegfried.
MIMI. Yes, yes!
GERALD. And then there was Mimi.
MIMI. Ah! Mimi!
GERALD. He was a very famous smith.
MIMI. [Eagerly.] You know all about them! Somebody has been there!
GERALD. What do you mean?
MIMI. Would you like to see those Nibelungs?
GERALD. [Laughing.] Why . . . I wouldn't mind.
MIMI. You would like to see them dancing in the moonlight, and hear
the clatter of their trinkets and shields? You would like to meet old
King Alberich, and Mimi the smith? You would like to see that cavern
yawn open . . . [points to right] and fire and steam break forth, and
all the Nibelungs come running out? Would you like that? ha?
GERALD. Indeed I would!
MIMI. You wouldn't be afraid?
GERALD. No, I don't think so.
MIMI. But are you sure?
GERALD. Yes . . . sure!
MIMI. All right! You wear my magic ring! You wait till night comes!
Then you play! [Puts away trinkets.] I must go now.
GERALD. [Perplexed.] What do you want for your ring?
MIMI. It is not for sale. I give it.
GERALD. What!
MIMI. Money could not buy it. [Takes up pack.] I came to you because
you play that music.
GERALD. But I can't . . . it . . .
MIMI. It is yours . . . you are a poet! [Starts left.] Is this the
way?
GERALD. Yes. But I don't like to . . .
MIMI. Keep it! You will see! Good-bye!
GERALD. But wait!
MIMI. It is late. I must go. Good-night.
[Exit left.]
GERALD. Good-night. [Stands staring.] Well, I'll be switched! If that
wasn't a queer old customer! [Looks at ring.] It feels like real gold!
[Peers after MIMI.] What in the world did he mean, anyhow? The magic
ring! I hope he doesn't get lost in those woods to-night. [Turns to
fire.] Confound that fire! It's out for good now! Let it go. [Sits,
and takes music score.] Nibelungs! They are realer than anybody
guesses. People who spend their lives in digging for gold, and know
and care about nothing else. How many of them I've met at mother's
dinner parties! Well, I must get to my work now. [Makes a few notes;
then looks up and stretches.] Ah, me! I don't know what makes me so
lazy this evening. This strange heaviness! There seems to be a spell
on me. [Gazes about.] How beautiful these woods are at sunset! If I
were a Nibelung, I'd come here for certain! [Settles himself,
reclining; shadows begin to fall; music from orchestra.] I'm good for
nothing but dreaming . . . I wish Estelle were here to sing to me! How
magical the twilight is! Estelle! Estelle!
[He lies motionless; music dies away, and there is a long silence. The
forest is dark, with gleams of moonlight. Suddenly there is a faint
note of music . . . the Nibelung theme. After a silence it is
repeated; then again. Several instruments take it up. It swells
louder. Vague forms are seen flitting here and there. Shadows move.]
GERALD. [Starting up suddenly.] What's that? [Silence; then the note
is heard again, very faint. He starts. It is heard again, and he
springs to his feet.] What's that? [Again and again. He runs to his
violin, picks it up, and stares at it. Still the notes are heard, and
he puts down the violin, and runs down stage, listening.] Why, what
can it mean? [As the music grows louder his perplexity and alarm
increase. Suddenly he sees a figure stealing through the shadows, and
he springs back, aghast.] Why, it's a Nibelung! [Another figure
passes.] Oh! I must be dreaming! [Several more appear.] Nibelungs!
Why, it's absurd! Wake up, man! You're going crazy! [Music swells
louder; figures appear, carrying gold shields, chains, etc., with
clatter.] My God!
[He stands with hands clasped to his forehead, while the uproar swells
louder and louder, and the forms become more numerous. He rushes down
stage, and the Nibelungs surround him, dancing about him in wild
career, laughing, screaming, jeering. They begin to pinch his legs
behind his back, and he leaps here and there, crying out. Gradually
they drive him toward the grotto, which opens before them, revealing a
black chasm, emitting clouds of steam. They rush in and are enveloped
in the mist. Sounds of falling and crashing are heard. The steam
spreads, gradually veiling the front of the stage.]
[Nets rise with the steam, giving the effect of a descent. During this
change the orchestra plays the music between Scenes II and III in Das
Rheingold.]
SCENE II
[Nibelheim: a vast rocky cavern. Right centre is a large gold throne,
and to the right of that an entrance through a great tunnel. Entrances
from the sides also. At the left is a large golden vase upon a stand,
and near it lie piles of golden utensils, shields, etc. Left centre is
a heavy iron door, opening into a vault. Throughout this scene there
is a suggestion of music, rising into full orchestra at significant
moments. The voices of the Nibelungs are accompanied by stopped
trumpets and other weird sounds.]
[At rise: The stage is dark. A faint light spreads. A company of
Nibelungs crosses from right to left, carrying trinkets and treasures.
Clatter of shields, crack of whips, music, etc. Another company of
Nibelungs runs in left.]
FIRST NIB. [Entering.] The earth-man has come!
SECOND NIB. Where is he?
FIRST NIB. He is with Mimi!
SECOND NIB. What is he like?
FIRST NIB. He is big! [With a gesture of fright.] Terrible!
THIRD NIB. Ah!
SECOND NIB. And the king? Does he know?
FIRST NIB. He has been told.
THIRD NIB. Where is the king?
FIRST NIB. He comes! He comes!
[The orchestra plays the Fasolt and Fafnir music, Rheingold, Scene II.
[Enter a company of Nibelungs, armed with whips, and marching with a
stately tread. They post themselves about the apartment. Enter another
company supporting KING ALBERICH. He is grey-haired and very feeble,
but ferocious-looking, and somewhat taller than the others. His robe
is lined with ermine, and he carries a gold Nibelung whip--a short
handle of gold, with leather thongs. He seats himself upon the throne,
and all make obeisance. A solemn pause.]
ALBERICH. The earth-man has come?
FIRST NIB. Yes, your majesty!
ALB. Where is Mimi?
ALL. Mimi! Mimi!
[The call is repeated off.]
MIMI. [Enters left.] Your majesty.
ALB. Where is the earth-man?
MIMI. He is safe, your majesty.
ALB. Did he resist?
> MIMI. I have brought him, your majesty.
ALB. And Prince Hagen? Has he come?
MIMI. He is without, your majesty.
ALB. Let him be brought in.
[All cry out in terror.]
MIMI. Your majesty. He is wild! He fights with everyone! He . . .
ALB. Let him be brought in.
ALL. Prince Hagen! Prince Hagen!
MIMI. [Calling.] Prince Hagen !
[Some run out. The call is heard off All stand waiting in tense
expectation. The music plays the Hagen motives, with suggestions of
the Siegfried funeral march. Voices are heard in the distance, and at
the climax of the music PRINCE HAGEN and his keepers enter. He is
small for a man, but larger than any of the Nibelungs; a grim,
sinister figure, with black hair, and a glowering look. His hands are
chained in front of him, and eight Nibelungs march as a guard. He has
bare arms and limbs, and a rough black bearskin flung over his
shoulders. He enters right, and stands glaring from one to another.]
ALB. Good evening, Hagen.
HAGEN. [After a pause.] Well?
ALB. [Hesitating.] Hagen, you are still angry and rebellious?
HAGEN. I am!
ALB. [Pleading.] Hagen, you are my grandson. You are my sole heir . .
. the only representative of my line. You are all that I have in the
world!
HAGEN. Well?
ALB. You place me in such a trying position! Have you no shame . . .
no conscience? Why, some day you will be king . . . and one cannot
keep a king in chains!
HAGEN. I do not want to be in chains!
ALB. But, Hagen, your conduct is such . . . what can I do? You have
robbed . . . you have threatened murder! And you . . . my grandson and
my heir . . .
HAGEN. Have you sent for me to preach at me again?
ALB. Hagen, this stranger . . . he has come to visit us from the world
above. These earth-men know more than we . . . they have greater
powers . . .
[He hesitates.]
HAGEN. What is all that to me?
ALB. You know that you yourself are three-quarters an earth-man . . .
HAGEN. I know it. [With a passionate gesture.] But I am in chains!
ALB. There may be a way of your having another chance. Perhaps this
stranger will teach you. If you will promise to obey him, he will stay
with you . . . he will be your tutor, and show you the ways of the
earth- men.
HAGEN. No!
ALB. What?
HAGEN. I will not have it!
ALB. Hagen!
HAGEN. I will not have it, I say! Why did you not consult me?
ALB. But what is your objection . . .
HAGEN. I will not obey an earth-man! I will not obey anyone!
ALB. But he will teach you . . .
HAGEN. I do not want to be taught. I want to be let alone! Take off
these chains!
ALB. [Half rising.] Hagen! I insist . . .
HAGEN. Take them off, I say! You cannot conquer me . . . you cannot
trick me!
ALB. [Angrily.] Take him away!
[The Nibelungs seize hold of him to hustle him off.]
HAGEN. I will not obey him! Mark what I say . . . I will kill him.
Yes! I will kill him!
[He is dragged off protesting.]
ALB. [Sits, his head bowed with grief, until the uproar dies away;
then, looking up.] Mimi!
MIMI. Yes, your majesty.
ALB. Let the earth-man be brought.
MIMI. Yes, your majesty!
ALL. The earth-man! The earth-man!
[The call is heard as before. GERALD is brought on; the orchestra