Imp No. 1: Has not Your Majesty thought of persecution?
Lucifer Match: Persecution, in that ye counsel without knowledge. To stop this tide of Christmas cheer by persecution is as foolish as to attempt to dam a river at its mouth.
Imp No. 1: Has not Your Majesty discovered any arch conspirator in this plot?
Lucifer Match: Aye, that I have and by cunning ways have I sought to turn him from his course, but neither threat, money, or persuasion have any effect upon him to check the rising of good will, which, like water gushing from a fountain, overflows and fills the hearts of the children of men everywhere with his own genial spirit and warm friendliness.
Imp No. 1: Where does he abide, Your Majesty?
Lucifer Match: He lives hard by an Inn, the Black Bear, where incessantly he toils throughout the year in fashioning toys and other gifts, which he lavishly bestows upon the people in his journey around the world on Christmas night—but I fear his real abode is in the hearts of men, and particularly in the hearts of little children.
Imp No. 1 (rising and bowing): Pardon me, Sire for venturing to suggest that thou commission us to wreak destruction upon the toys, or otherwise prevent this arch enemy of thine from carrying out his plan.
Lucifer Match: Thou speakest words of wisdom, and it is my will that thou perform in my name, and in behalf of my kingdom this work of destruction. Here, then, is thy commission—Look well to the task.
(King hands document to Imp No. 1, who reads it aloud to the other Imps.)
“Whereas, one Santa Claus, by cunning devices and by his unfailing good humor and goodwill, is stealing the hearts and fealty of my hitherto loyal subjects—now, therefore, do I, Lucifer Match, declare that from this hour I will give him no peace or rest—