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
Prince Hagen Page 7