“We have chosen N. N. for our Alt-knecht; the other six can sit down.”
The lucky candidate is now expected to play the shamefaced, modest rôle, and say,
“Look farther, brother; seek for a better one.”
“We have already looked,” is the answer.
“And is it in truth your will that I and no other should be your head?”
“It is our will.”
“And shall it then be so?”
“It shall be so.”
“And may it be so?”
“It may be so.”