the sword; if he is like to be caught in the morning, you hold it wiser to wait till eventide.
Earl Skule.
[Looking earnestly at him.] And what would <g>you</g> do, my lord Bishop?
Bishop Nicholas.
Speak not of me; my work is to build up thrones in this land, not to sit on them and rule.
Earl Skule.
[After a short pause.] Answer me <g>one</g> thing, my honoured lord, and answer me truly. How comes it that Håkon can follow the straight path so unflinchingly? He is no wiser, no bolder than I.
Bishop Nicholas.
Who does the greatest work in this world?
Earl Skule.
The greatest man.
Bishop Nicholas.
But who is the greatest man?
Earl Skule.
The bravest.
Bishop Nicholas.
So says the warrior. A priest would say: the man of greatest faith,—a philosopher: the most learned. But it is none of these, Earl Skule. The most fortunate man[1] is the greatest man. It is
