Запретный лес
III. Guests in Calidon Tower
Thestateislikethebody,whosehealthisonlytobemaintainedbyajustproportionamongitsmembers.Ifaman’sbellybehisgod,hislimbswillsuffer;ifheuseonlyhislegs,hisarmswilldwindle.If,therefore,theKingshouldintrudeuponthesubject’srights,orthesubjectwhittleattheKing’sprerogative,ortheKirksetherselfabovetheCrown,therewillbeasickstateandanailingpeople."
NicholasHawkshawhadbeenlisteningintentlywithapuzzledair,hiseyesfixedonthegroom’sface,butthetwotroopersseemedillatease.
"Man,James,"saidthetallman,"you’vemistookyourcalling.YoushouldhavebeenaregentinthecollegeofSt.Andrews,andhammeredsenseintothethickheadsofthebejaunts."
Rollo,thelameman,shiftedhisseatandseemedinclinedtoturntheconversation.
"Patience,Mark,"saidthegroom."It’snotoftenapoorsoldierofLeven’sgetsachanceofacrackwithalike-mindedfriend.ForI’mcertainthatMr.Sempillisverynearmywayofthinking."
"Idonotquarrelwithyourpremises,"saidDavid,"butI’mnotclearabouttheconclusion."
"It’swritlargeinthislandto-day.TherearethosethatwouldmaketheKingapuppetandputallauthorityinparliaments,andtherearethosewhowouldmaketheKirklikeCalvin’satGeneva,aruleroverbothcivilandreligiousmatters.Isaythatbothwaysliemadnessandgrief.Ifyouupsetthejustproportionofthelawyouwillgainnotlibertybutconfusion.Youareascholar,Mr.Sempill,andhavereadthehistoriesofThucydides?Letmecounselyoutoreadthemagainandconsiderthemoral.
