“Listen -- strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.”

“Dennis the Peasant: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. Arthur: Be quiet! Dennis: You can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!”

“King Arthur: I am your king.Peasant Woman: Well, I didn't vote for you.King Arthur: You don't vote for kings.Peasant Woman: Well, how'd you become king, then?[Angelic music plays... ]King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king.Dennis the Peasant: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.Arthur: Be quiet!Dennis the Peasant: You can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!”

“Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government”

“Dennis: Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you.”

“Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued, or concluded. Thy are barred from the latter functions by a great principle in free government, analogous to that which separates the sword from the purse, or the power of executing from the power of enacting laws.”