Prelude
(Nighttime, in front of the Hall of the Gibichungs)

Scene 1
(Hagen is asleep sitting down; Alberich is kneeling before him)

Alberich: Hagen! Son! Are you asleep? I wish I could sleep that sound. Wake up!

Hagen: (Still half asleep) I hear you - what do you want?

Alberich: Remember the power you have. If you're anything like your mother, you'll know how to use it.

Hagen: My mother gave me strength, but thanks to you, I can't use it. I'm in your power now, and I can't do anything for myself. I'm miserable.

Alberich: Hagen, my son, you should hate those who are happy! It's because of me you have all your power. We're fighting a great battle here, and we'll win, I know! Just stay strong. We'll get that Wotan! He stole my Ring, and he'll pay for it! His own offspring beat him at his own game; now, he doesn't have any power left, and I'm going to enjoy watching him die! All the Gods will die!! Are you still asleep?

Hagen: (still asleep) Who'll take over when they're not in power any more?

Alberich: You and I will! We'll rule the world together, as long as you believe in me and fight along with me. Wotan's power was destroyed by the Wälsung who killed Fafner! He didn't even realize what he'd done - Valhalla and Nibelheim are his now! My curse won't even work on him. He has no idea what he's got; he wastes his time being in love. We have to destroy him! Are you still asleep?

Hagen: He's already fallen for my plan. It'll destroy him.

Alberich: We have to get the Ring. But Brünnhilde's pretty smart; if she ever convinced him to give it back to the Rhinemaidens, then there's no way in the world we'd ever get it back. I made you strong, to help protect me from people like him. You weren't strong enough for the dragon, of course - that was for Siegfried - but, I taught you to hate, to want revenge, to defy Siegfried and Wotan, and get my Ring back!! Do you swear you'll help me, Hagen…my son?

Hagen: Don't worry - I already swore that to myself.

Alberich: (disappearing from view) Then do it, Hagen! Be loyal to me! Remember your promise! Remember! Remember!

(Hagen stares, still half asleep, on the dawn breaking over the Rhine)