raise his hand against it.

GER. Well, you've seen the world in your own way. Now are you ready to
go back to Nibelheim?

HAGEN. Good God, no!

GER. You know it's my duty to send you back.

HAGEN. Oh, say! My dear fellow!

GER. You know the solemn promise I made to King Alberich.

HAGEN. Yes . . . but you can't carry it out.

GER. But I can!

HAGEN. How?

GER. I could invoke the law, if need be. You know you are a minor . . .

HAGEN. My dear boy, I'm over seven hundred years old!

GER. Ah, but that is a quibble. You know that in our world that is
only equal to about eighteen . . .

HAGEN. 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 . . .