Mens. Were, sir, the question simply war or peace,
It were no more than shortly to be ask'd,
Whether we would be well or ill;115
Since war the sickness of the kingdom is,
And peace the health. But here I do conceive
'Twill rather lie, whether we had not better
Endure sharp sickness for a time, to enjoy
A perfect strength, than have it languish on us;120
For peace and war in an incestuous line
Have still begot each other.
Those men that highly now have broke all laws,—
The great one only 'tis 'twixt man and man—
What safety can they promise, though you give it?125
Will they not still suspect, and justly too,
That all those civil bonds new-made should be
Broken again to them? So, being still
In fears and jealousies themselves, you must
Infect the people; 'for in such a case130
The private safety is the public trouble.'
Nor will they ever want pretext; 'since he
That will maintain it with his sword he's injur'd,
May say't at any time.'
Then, sir, as terrible as war appears,135
My vote is for't; nor shall I ever care,
How ugly my physician's face shall be,
So he can do the cure.
Lord. In vent'ring physic, I think, sir, none so much
Considers the doctor's face as his own body.140
To keep on foot the war with all your wants
Is to let blood, and take strong potions
In dangerous sickness.
King. I see, and wonder not to find, my lords,
This difference in opinion: the subject's large;145
Nor can we there too much dispute, where, when
We err, 'tis at a kingdom's charges. Peace
And war are in themselves indifferent;
And time doth stamp them either good or bad:
But here the place is much considerable.150
'War in our own is like to too much heat
Within, it makes the body sick: when in
Another country, 'tis but exercise;
Conveys that heat abroad, and gives it health.'
To that I bend my thoughts, but leave it to155
Our greater council, which we now assemble:
