The Mayor. With all respect, I should like to be allowed to make the same request. Your Majesty is obviously very much upset, and I am sure we are all unwilling that our presence--which, indeed, was unintentional and unsought by us--should augment a distress of mind which is so natural in one of your Majesty's noble disposition, and so inevitable considering the deep sense of gratitude your Majesty must feel towards a friend who-- The King (interrupting him). Hush, hush! Let us have a little respect for the truth in the presence of the dead! Do not misunderstand me--I do not mean to say that any of you would lie wilfully; but the atmosphere that surrounds a king is infected. And, as regards that--just a word or two. I have only a short time. But as a farewell message from me-- The Priest. A farewell message? The King.--give my greeting to what is called Christianity in this country. Greet it from me! I have been thinking a great deal about Christian folk lately. The Priest. I am glad to hear it! The King. Your tone jars on me! Greet those who call themselves Christians--. Oh! come, come--don't crane your necks and bend your backs like that, as if the most precious words of wisdom were about to drop from my lips! (To himself.) Is it any use my saying anything serious to them? (Aloud.) I suppose you are Christians? The General. Why, of course! Faith is invaluable-- The King.--in preserving discipline? (To the Mayor.) How about you? The Mayor. I was taught by my parents, of blessed memory-- The King. Oh, so they are "of blessed memory" too, are they? Well, what did they teach you? The Mayor. To fear God, honour the King-- The King.--and love the brotherhood! You are a public official, Mr. Mayor. That is what a Christian is, nowadays. (To BANG.) And you? Bang. Of late I have been able to go so little to church, because of my cough. And in that unwholesome atmosphere-- The King.--you go to sleep. But you are a Christian? Bang. Undoubtedly! The King (to the Priest). And you are one, of course? The Priest. By the grace of God I hope so! The King (snapping his fingers). Yes, that is the regulation formula, my good fellow! You all answer by the card! Very well, then--you are a community of Christians; and it is not my fault if such a community refuses to take any serious interest in what really affects Christianity. Tell it from me that it ought to keep an eye on the monarchy. The Priest. Christianity has nothing to do with such things. It concerns only the souls of men!