



Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading team





PRINCE HAGEN


By 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?

M