COURTIER. [Enters from the right] Herman Israel, Councillor of Luebeck!
KING. Let him come.
The COURTIER goes out. HERMAN ISRAEL enters shortly afterward.
KING. [Meets him and shakes his hand; then he puts his arm about his neck and leads him across the floor in that manner] Good day, my dear old friend, and welcome! Sit down, sit down! [He seats himself on the chair of state, and ISRAEL sits down across the table] So you have just come from Dalecarlia?
ISRAEL. That's where I was lately.
KING. I was there, too, as you know, to straighten out the mess left after the False Sture and the fight about the bells, but you stayed on when I left.—Did you keep an eye on Master Olavus Petri? What sort of a man has he turned out? Can I trust him?
ISRAEL. Absolutely! He is not only the most faithful, but the cleverest negotiator I have seen.
KING. Really, Herman? I am glad to hear that. Do you really think so, Herman? Well, you know the old affair between him and me, and how that was settled. But it was settled!—So much for that. Let us talk of our affairs now.
ISRAEL. As you say. But let us keep our words as well as actions under control.
KING. [Playing with the war-hammer] All right! Control yours as much as you please.