ISRAEL. You forget one thing, my son: that I am a merchant....
KING. And I the customer. Have you been paid?
ISRAEL. Paid? Yes.... But there are things that cannot be paid in money....
KING. It is for me to speak of the gratitude I owe you and the free city of Luebeck ever since the day I first came to you—a young man who thought himself deserted by God, and who knew himself deserted by all humanity. Be satisfied to find my gratitude expressed in the friendly feelings I harbour and show toward you. A debt like that cannot be paid in money, and still less in treaties.—Why do you want any treaties? In order to tie me and the country for a future of uncertain duration?—Don't force me to become ungrateful, Herman! On my soul, I have enough as it is to burden me—far too much!
ISRAEL. What is weighing on you, my son?
KING. This.... Oh, will you believe me, Herman, old friend, that lawyer form a decision or pass a judgment without having turned to the Eternal and Almighty Lord for advice? When, after fasting, prayer, and meditation, I have got the answer from above that I was asking for, then I strike gladly, even if it be my own heart-roots that must be cut off. But you remember Master John.... John, the old friend of my youth, who assisted me in that first bout with Christian? He changed heart and incited the Dalecarlians to rise against me. His head had to fall, and it did fall! [Rising] Since that day my peace is gone. My nearest and dearest don't look at me in the same way they used to do. My own wife, my beloved Margaret.... She turns away from me when I want to kiss her pure brow, and can you imagine? Yesterday, at the dinner-table, she kept looking at my hand as if she had seen blood on it!—I don't regret what I did. I have no right to regret it. I was right—by God, I was right! But nevertheless—my peace is gone!
ISRAEL. [Pensively] Those feelings are an honour to your heart, my son, and I must admit that I didn't think you quite as sensitive....
KING. Never mind! It was not meant as a boast. But now I find myself in the same situation again. Tell me, Herman, what you think of Anders Persson and Mons Nilsson.
ISRAEL. [Disturbed] Will my opinion have any influence on their fate, or have you already made up your mind?
KING. I am still in doubts, as you ought to know.