The King (aside). That voice. (Aloud.) I know—it does not concern itself with the air a patient breathes, but only with his lungs! Excellent!—All the same, Christianity ought to keep an eye on the monarchy. Ought to tear the falsehood away from it! Ought not to go in crowds to stare at a coronation in a church, like apes grinning at a peacock! I know what I felt at that moment. I had rehearsed it all once that morning already—ha, ha! Ask your Christianity if it may not be about time for it to interest itself a little in the monarchy? It seems to me that it scarcely ought any longer to allow monarchy, like a seductive harlot, to keep militarism before the people's eyes as an ideal—seeing that that is exactly contrary to the teachings of Christianity, or to encourage class divisions, luxury, hypocrisy and vanity. Monarchy has become so all-pervading a lie that it infects even the most upright of men.
The Mayor. But I don't understand, your Majesty!
The King. Don't you? You are an upright man yourself, Mr. Mayor—a most worthy man.
The Mayor. I do not know whether your Majesty is pleased to jest again?
The King. In sober earnest, I say you are one of the most upright of men.
The Mayor. I cannot tell your Majesty how flattered I am to hear your Majesty say so!
The King. Have you any decorations?
The Mayor. Your Majesty's government has not, so far, deigned to cast their eyes on me.
The King. That fault will be repaired. Be sure of that!
The General (to the Mayor). To have that from his Majesty's own mouth is equivalent to seeing it gazetted. I am fortunate to be able to be the first to congratulate you!