usy elsewhere. You have
done a good piece of work to-day, and I see that you have got your
reward for it. I have set you free to-day, Olof.

Olof. _You_ have?

Gert. The King commanded you to quiet the rebellious, and what have you
been doing?

Olof. Now I begin to understand you, Father Gert.

Gert. I am delighted! Yes, you have aroused even the calmest.

Olof. So I have.

Gert. What do you think the King will say to that?

Olof. I shall have to face it.

Gert. Good!

Olof. The King will approve my actions, for he wants a reformation,
although he does not yet dare to start one himself.

Gert. You idiot!

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.

Olof. What do you say?

Gert. The King has just returned.

Olof. And the Anabaptists?

Gert. Locked up, of course.

Olof. And you stand here so calmly?

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.

(Drum-beats are heard from the street.)

Olof. What is that?

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.

Gert. Take care of your head, Olof!

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.

Olof. The King is 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