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604 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
was very sicke, since he was forced to have recourse
to such vanities, and had suffered himselfe to be so
drest. I affirme not but I may one day be drawne
to such fond opinions, and yeeld my life and healtli
to the mercy, discretion, and regiment of physitians.
I may haply fall into this fond madnesse; I dare
not warrant my future constancy. And even then
if any aske me how I doe, I may answer him as did
Pericles: you may judge, by shewing my hand fraughted
with six drammes of opium. It will be an evident
token of a violent sicknesse. My judgement shall be
exceedingly out of temper. If impacience or feare get
that advantage upon me, you may thereby conclude
some quelling fever hath seized upon my minde. I
have taken the paines to plead this cause, whereof I
have but small understanding, somewhat to strengthen
and comfort naturall propension against the drugs and
practice of our physicke, which is derived into me from
mine ancestors : lest it might only be a stupid and rash
inclination, and that it might have a little more forme.
And that also those who see me so constant against the
exhortations and threats which are made against me,
when sicknesse commeth upon me, may not thinke it
to be a meere conceit and simple wilfulnesse ; and also,
lest there be any so peevish as to judge it to be some
motive of vaine glory. It were a strange desire to
seeke to draw honour from an action common both to
me, to my gardiner, or to my groome. Surely my
heart is not so pufft up, nor so windy, that a solide,
fleshy and marrowy pleasure as health is, I should
change it for an imaginary spirituall and airy delight.
Renowne or glory (were it that of Aymons foure sons)
is over deerely bought by a man of my humour, if it
cost him but three violent fits of the choilike. Give
me health a Gods name. Those that love our physicke
may likewise have their considerations good, great and
strong ; I hate no fantasies contrary to mine. I am so
for from vexing my selfe to see my judgement differ from
other mens, or to grow incompatible of the society
or conversation of men, to be of any other faction or