Olof. Now I begin to understand you, Father Gert.
Gert. I am delighted! Yes, you have aroused even the calmest.
Gert. What do you think the King will say to that?
Olof. The King will approve my actions, for he wants a reformation, although he does not yet dare to start one himself.
Olof. I see that you want to set me against my lawful sovereign.
Gert. Tell me, how many masters do you think you can serve? (Olof makes no reply.) The King is here.
Gert. I am old now. Once I used to rage like you, but it only tired me out. Rink and Knipperdollink have served as my outposts. They had to fall, that's plain; now my work begins.
Gert. The royal drums that keep the captives company to prison. Come here and see!
Olof (mounting one of the benches and looking out of the window). What do I see? Women and children are dragged along by the soldiers!
Gert. Well, they have been throwing stones at the King's guard. Do you think such things can be allowed?
Olof. But are madmen and sick people to be put into prison?
Gert. There are two kinds of madmen. One kind is sent to the hospital and treated with pills and cold baths. Those of the other kind have their heads cut off. It is a radical treatment, but then, for a fact, they are rather dangerous.
Olof. I'll go to the King. He cannot wish such dreadful things to happen.
Olof. Take care of your own, Father Gert!
Gert. No danger in my case, for I have a warrant for the asylum.
Olof. I cannot bear to see these things. I am going to the King, even if it cost my life. (He goes toward the door.)
Gert. This is a matter not to be settled by the King. You should appeal to the law.
Gert. Unfortunately!--If the horse knew his own strength, he would never be mad enough, as he is now, to bear the yoke. But when once in a while he gets his reason back and runs away from his oppressors, then they call him mad--Let us pray the Lord to give these poor creatures their reason back!
(A Hall in the Royal Palace at Stockholm. In the background is a gallery which can be partitioned off by curtains. In elderly servant of the palace is pacing back and forth in the gallery.)
Olof. Can you tell me why I have been kept waiting here in vain four days at a stretch?
Servant. No, heavens, I know nothing at all.