KING. If you could see yourself as you are now, Eric, you would despise yourself!
ERIC. So I do anyhow!
KING. Nothing but talk! If you did despise yourself, you would change your ways.
ERIC. I cannot make myself over.
KING. Have you ever tried?
ERIC. I have.
KING. Then your bad company must counteract your good intentions.
ERIC. Jorghen is no worse than anybody else, but he has the merit of knowing himself no better than the rest.
KING. Do you bear in mind that you are to be king some time?
ERIC. Once I am king, the old slips will be forgotten.