THE KING—Explain our constitution to him. Tell him that all bills for revenue originate in the lower House, and point out that on account of a vicious bipartisan alliance of all the traitors in the kingdom I'm kept so short of money that I can't possibly afford any new clothes.
THE IMPERIAL FOOTMAN—He didn't say anything about money, your majesty.
THE KING—Well, I won't give him a bealo down and a bealo a week either. Tell him to wait until I've got a clear title to the pianola.
THE IMPERIAL FOOTMAN—What he said was that he had a valuable gift for the most enlightened ruler in the world.
THE KING—Well, why didn't you say so in the first place? What was the use of keeping me waiting? Send him up right away. (Exit the Footman.)
THE KING (speaking in the general direction of the Leading Republican)—Fortunately, my fame rises above petty slanders. The common people, they know me and they love me.
THE LEADING REPUBLICAN—They love your simplicity, your majesty, your lack of ostentation, your tractability. (Enter the Tailor.)
THE TAILOR—I have come a far journey to see your majesty.
THE KING—I am honored.
THE TAILOR—For a long time I have been journeying to find an enlightened sovereign, a sovereign who was fitted in all respects for his high office. I stopped in Ruritania; he was not there. He was not in Pannonia or in Gamar. You are my hope, majesty.