Scene 3
(Nibelheim)

Alberich: Hey! Get over here, dwarf! It's about time you were finished with the golden toys I had you make! You'll suffer the consequences if you're not!

Mime: Ouch! Ouch! Let me go! It's all done, just like you wanted it. I've worked hard to finish on time; quit pinching my ear!

Alberich: Why did it take you so long to show it to me?

Mime: I just wanted to make sure it was all there for you.

Alberich: Was there anything you didn't get done?

Mime: Well...

Alberich: Shut up and show me what you've got! Look there, you idiot, everything's exactly the way I wanted it! Were you trying to fool me, and steal the treasure that only my genius could have invented? (to himself) Well, at least the helmet fits my head; I wonder if that magic spell works? (puts on the Tarnhelm) "Night and fog, visible to no one!" (he disappears)

(to Mime) Do you see me now, brother?

Mime: (looking around) Where are you? I can't see you.

Alberich: Then feel my anger, you lazy fool! Take that for daring to think of stealing from me!

(sound of Alberich's whip cracking repeatedly)

Mime: Oh! Oh! Ow! Ow! Ouch!

Alberich: (becoming visible again) Ha ha ha ha ha! Thanks for all your trouble, stupid! Looks like it works! Hoho! Hoho! All Nibelungs bow down before me! Alberich is now watching your every move; he denies you any hope of peace or rest! You must serve him forever, even when you can't even see him. Expect his wrath whenever you least expect it, because you belong to him for the rest of your lives! Hoho! Hoho! Listen as the Lord of the Nibelungs comes closer! (exits)

Loge: (entering with Wotan) This is Nibelheim. What are those sparks flashing through the fog?

Mime: Ow! Ow! Ow!

Wotan: It's someone moaning. What's that lying over there by the rocks?

Loge: (to Mime) What are you whimpering about?

Mime: Oh! Oh! Ow! Ow!

Loge: Hey, it's Mime, my cheerful friend! What's wrong with you?

Mime: Leave me alone!

Loge: If that's what you want, I'll do it. But I could do more for you, though; I could help you!

Mime: Who could ever help me? My brother has made a slave out of me, and I have to obey everything he says.

Loge: How did he get that kind of power over you?

Mime: He made a powerful Ring from the Rheingold. We Nibelungs trembled with fear at its magic, and he used that weakness to get control over us and become our master. We were simple, carefree smiths, making little trinkets for our wives - toys, playthings, cute little nothings that we enjoyed working on. Now, that villain makes us crawl on our knees into the deep, dark caves, and work for him till we drop. The ring gives him power to find veins of gold in the rocks; his greed drives him to make us hunt for it, dig it out, melt it down and forge more magic treasure for him without ever being able to rest! I don't see any end to his power, or to our suffering!

Loge: He's mad at you because you were all so lazy and carefree?

Mime: Poor me! He made me work harder than everyone else. I was forced to make him this magic helmet; he told me exactly how to do it. I knew very well what kind of power that helmet had in it, and I wanted to keep it for myself so I could be free from his control. Maybe I'd even be able to outwit him, and become his master the way he'd been mine. Maybe I could even get the Ring away from him and make him my slave!

Loge: Why didn't your plan work?

Mime: Oh, I thought that because he'd given me the magic to make the helmet, I could use that magic to control its power. But there was more involved than I thought, and he got the helmet away from me. I learned too late what power it really has in it! He used it to make himself invisible; even though I couldn't see him, I could certainly feel him hitting me. I was a fool to think I could beat him, and I got what I deserved!

Loge: (to Wotan) Apparently, it's not going to be very easy to catch him.

Wotan: But you're smart enough to outwit him.

Mime: By the way, who are you to be asking me so many questions?

Loge: We're friends of yours, and we're going to help free you and your people from this terrible situation.

Mime: Look out! Here comes Alberich.

Wotan: We'll wait right here for him.

(Alberich enters, leading the Nibelungs in their work)

Alberich: Here! There! Heehee! Hoho! Pile my gold up, you lazy fools! You there, get up! Get going! You worthless trash, put down my treasure! Bring it over here! Do I have to help you myself? Who is that over there? Who's broken into my home? Mime, you mangy dog, come here! Have you been talking to these two? Get moving! Back to work! Make me more treasure! Everyone out! Get down below! Find me more gold in the rocks! Anyone not digging will feel my whip! Mime gets it twice as bad if any of you dare try to escape me! You won't see me, but I'll be watching you. Remember, I'm everywhere! (to Mime, as the rest of the Nibelungs leave) Are you still standing here? What are you waiting for? Tremble before me! Obey the master of the Ring! NOW!! (Mime runs away)

Alberich: (to Loge and Wotan) Now, what do you want?

Wotan: We've heard wonderful stories of Nibelheim's dark land: Alberich is doing magical things here. We were driven by curiosity to come and be his guests.

Alberich: You were driven here by envy! I know what you're thinking.

Loge: Do you know me so well, you childish dwarf? Then tell me who I am to deserve to be talked to that way. I remember when you were lying there in your cold, wet cave, shivering and freezing to death; who would've given you warm fire and light, if I hadn't felt pity for you? What use would your forge have been to you, if I hadn't kept your fires lit? I've always been your friend, and you owe me everything you have. You should be a little more grateful.

Alberich: You're friends with the Gods now, you sly fox. If you give them the same friendship you gave to me, then I'll be happy, because I'll have nothing to fear from them!

Loge: You can trust me.

Alberich: I can trust your untrustworthiness, but not your truthfulness! I defy you all!

Loge: Your power has made you bold; your strength must be incredible!

Alberich: Do you see the treasure my subjects have collected for me?

Loge: I've never seen so much gold.

Alberich: That's just what they've brought today - it's not much at all; there'll be more tomorrow!

Wotan: But what good is it all to you, since you have no happiness, and nothing to buy with it?

Alberich: The darkness here helps me to gather and hide the gold; once I have enough, I intend to work unimaginable wonders: I'll win control of the whole world!

Wotan: How will you do that?

Alberich: You Gods who live, laugh and love in the clouds' soft breezes, I'll squeeze the life out of you with my golden grip! Everything that lives will give up love as I did! You were lured here by gold, and that's all that'll ever motivate you! You live up on the clouds, lulled into ignorance by your godly pleasures. You hate me, and all the Nibelungs in the darkness below - but beware! Beware! The day will come when you will all serve me, when I'll be the master of all those beautiful women who used to scorn me. Ha ha ha ha! Do you hear? Beware of the dark Lord, when His race of Nibelungs rises from the silent depths into the light of day!

Wotan: Shut up, you blaspheming fool!

Alberich: (to Wotan, threateningly) What did you say?!

Loge: (to Alberich) Get hold of yourself! He's just overwhelmed with astonishment at the power you have. If your genius has gotten such wonderful things for you, then I'd have to say you're the greatest the world has ever seen! The moon, the stars, the brilliant sun can do nothing but serve you! But the most obvious proof of your power is that the Nibelungs, your own kinsmen, follow you without question. You've made a mighty Ring which makes your own people tremble before it! But...if someone were to steal this ring from you while you were sleeping, how would you defend yourself?

Alberich: You think you're so smart, you forget that others aren't stupid. It must please you to think that I might owe you any gratitude, or need your advice in anything I do! I've invented a magic helmet which lets me change my shape into anything I want! No one can see me, but I can be anywhere, at any time! So of course, I'm not worried about anything or anyone - not even you, my most "helpful" friend!

Loge: I've been around a while, and I've seen a lot of strange and wonderful things, but I've never seen anything like that! I don't believe you! If you could do what you say, your power would last forever!

Alberich: Do you think I could ever lie as well as you do?

Loge: I won't believe you until I see it for myself.

Alberich: You think you're man enough to doubt me? I'll show you something that'll make your envy match your ego! What shape do you want me to take?

Loge: Whatever you want; amaze me with your power!

Alberich: "Giant snake, coiling itself around you!" (he turns into a huge snake)

Loge: (pretending to be afraid) Oh! Oh! Terrible snake, don't eat me! Spare me my life!!

Wotan: Ha ha ha! Very good, Alberich! You've done well; that didn't take any time at all!

Alberich: (returning to normal) Hee hee! All right, my wise friends, do you believe me now?

Loge: Don't you see me shaking with fear? You just turned yourself into a dragon! Now that I've seen that, I believe you. But, you made yourself into something big; could you also change into something small? That would be the best way to get away from danger, but it's probably too hard for you to do!

Alberich: Hard for you, maybe, because you're so stupid! How small do you want me to be?

Loge: Small enough to get through the tiniest crack in the rocks, where a toad might hide.

Alberich: Nothing could be easier! Watch! "Gray toad, creeping and croaking!" (he turns into a toad)

Loge: (to Wotan) There he is! Grab him! (they catch Alberich)

Alberich: (returning to normal) Oh! Curse you! I'm trapped!

Loge: Hold him while I tie him up. Quick! Let's get out of here! (all exit)