THE PRESIDING JUDGE.
Your wish is granted, blaster Matteo. The witnesses who were called for to-day's session have all appeared in person. Conduct the defendant thither.
(The halberdiers bring in the King from the neighboring room. Princess Alma startles at sight of him, but collects herself and arranges her writing materials.)
THE PRESIDING JUDGE.
You call yourself Ludovicus and were employed formerly in tending cattle at Baschi. You are accused of the crimen læsæ majestatis, which was visited with severe penalties in the imperishable code of our great predecessors, the ancient Romans; the crime of injuring majesty, or, in other words, the insult to the holy person of the king. Do you acknowledge yourself guilty of this offence?
THE KING.
Yes.
THE CLERK OF THE COURT.
(To Alma.) He said "yes." Write it down, my lad; write it down accurately!
THE PRESIDING JUDGE.