KING. That's true! If the Emperor can write to him, why shouldn't I?—But it is perfectly senseless. Who is this mysterious man who never appears?
OLAVUS. Perhaps another marvellous man of God—in his own way.
KING. I must see him face to face. I'll write and offer him safe-conduct, so that I can talk with him. That's what I'll do.—Bring me pen and paper! Or you write, and I'll dictate.
OLAVUS seats himself at the table.
KING. How do we begin? What am I to call him?
OLAVUS. Let us merely put down "To Nils Dacke."
KING. Oh, his name is Nils? After St. Nicolaus, who comes with rods for children on the sixth of December?[6] [Pause] Write now.... No, I'll go home and do the writing myself.... Have you heard that Luther is dead?
OLAVUS. I have, your Highness.
KING. He was a splendid man! May he rest in peace!—Yes, such as he was, he was a fine man, but we got rather too much of him.
OLAVUS. Too many dogmas and not enough of religion.