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[[31]] is the greatest man. It is the most fortunate man that does the greatest deeds—he whom the cravings of his time seize like a passion, begetting thoughts he himself cannot fathom, and pointing to paths which lead he knows not whither, but which he follows and must follow till he hears the people shout for joy, and, looking around him with wondering eyes, finds that he has done a mighty deed.
Earl Skule.
Ay, there is that unswerving confidence in Håkon.
Bishop Nicholas.
It is that which the Romans called ingenium.—Truly I am not strong in Latin; but ’twas called ingenium.
Earl Skule.