He loves a young woman of strong and noble
character, and wins her love in return, but she dies on the
very eve of their union. His oldest and most confidential
friend, the wealthiest man in the kingdom, but a republican,
is murdered by a radical associate of the _intransigeant_ type,
and the king is left utterly bereaved by his twofold loss.
This brings us to the closing scene of the drama, in which the
king, his nerves strained to the breaking point, confronts the
group of officials and others who bring to him the empty phrases
of a conventional condolence:--
The King. Hush! Have a little respect for the truth that
should follow death! Understand me rightly: I do not mean
that any of you would lie. But the very air about a king
is infected. It was of that-a word or two. My time is short.
But a testament. ...
The Priest. Testament.
The King. Neither the Old nor the New! Greet what is
called Christianity here in this land-greet it from me!
I have thought much about Christian folk of late.
The Priest. That rejoices me.
The King. How your tone cuts me! Greet it from me,
what is called Christianity here in this land. Nay,
do not crane your necks and bend your backs as if the
wisdom of the ages were now forthcoming.
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