(Pause.
(the tribune of the people, the man out of office and the others withdraw a little leaving in front the group of the king and his officials.
The Schoolmaster: But what does all this mean?
The High Prefect: Sire, will you make no answer? Why do you stand there motionless and mute, like a man who does not hear or one who has nothing at stake?
The King: Say what you have to say. The King will be the last to speak.
The High Prefect: Maker of Demands, you are exorbitant in what you ask.
For he who demands must give an equivalent return, And you offer us nothing but stand before us with dishevelled hair,
And say that you wish to be Master and he who speaks unchallenged, and that you would seat yourself
Like a sovereign on the consecrated throne,
And not to administer