All. Yes!
The General. Yes—your Majesty must excuse me—I spoke involuntarily!
The Mayor. There was a tone running through all your Majesty said that seemed to suggest that your Majesty was contemplating—. (Breaks off.)
The King.—going away? Yes.
All. Going away?
The General. And abdicating? For heaven's sake, your Majesty—!
Bang. That would mean handing us over to the crown prince—the pietist!
The Priest (betraying his pleasure in spite of himself). And his mother!
The King. You are pleased at the idea, parson! It will be a sight to see her and her son prancing along, with all of you in your best clothes following them! Hurrah!
The General. Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho!