JOHAN. [Rapping at the door] There is no one there.
A crowd of beggars enter and kneel in front of the KING with hands held out in supplication.
KING. Are you mocking me?
FIRST BEGGAR. We are perishing, my noble lord!
KING. I am perishing, too!—Why are you begging, anyhow?
SECOND BEGGAR. I'll tell you. Because the King has seized the tithes that went to the poor before. And when he did so, he said: "You can beg!"
KING. And what is he doing with the tithes of the poor?
FIRST BEGGAR. Paying Prince Eric's le-lecheries!
KING. No, paying the country's debt, you knaves! [To JOHAN] Give them money, so we get rid of them.
JOHAN. [Distributing coins] You'll have to share it between you, and then away—at once!