The Priest (hastily and impressively). Your Majesty is mistaken on the subject of Christianity.
The Mayor. Christianity is entirely a personal matter, your Majesty.
The General. Your Majesty expects too much of it. Now, as a comfort for the dying—!
The King. And a powerful instrument of discipline.
The General (smiling). Ah, your Majesty!
Bang (confidentially). Christianity is no longer such a serious matter nowadays, except for certain persons—. (Glances at the PRIEST.)
The King. All I have to say on the head of such unanimous approval is this: that in such a shallow society, where there is no particular distinction between lies and truth, because most things are mere forms without any deeper meaning—where ideals are considered to be extravagant, dangerous things—it is not so very amusing to be alive.
The General. Oh, your Majesty! Really, you—! Ha, ha, ha!
The King. Don't you agree with me?—Ah, if only one could grapple with it!—but we should need to be many to do that, and better equipped than I am.
The General. Better equipped than your Majesty? Your Majesty is the most gifted man in the whole country!