I have read up the law, but I haven't found any provision for reducing Nibelung ages to your scale. (GER: But you can't deny...) I wouldn't need to deny. The story's absurd on the face of it. You know perfectly well that there are no such things as Nibelungs! (GERALD gasps.) And besides, you're a poet, and everybody knows you're crazy. Fancy what the newspaper reporters would do with such a yarn! (Cheerfully.) Come, old man, forget about it, and let's be friends. You'll have a lot more fun watching my career. And besides, what do you want? I've come back, and I'm ready to follow your advice. (GER: How do you mean?) You told me to stay in school until I'd got my bearings in the world. And then I was to have a career. Well, I've got my education for myself... and now I'm ready for the career. (After a pause.) Listen, Gerald. I said I'd be a self-made man. I said I'd conquer the world for myself. But of late I've come to realize how far it is to the top, and I can't spare the time.

Hagen Monologue from Prince Hagen

Rehearse Hagen's monologue