Before you came

I had to threaten these that would have weighed

Some crazy phantasy of their own brain

Or gossip of the road with Conchubar’s word.

If I had thought so little of mankind

I never could have moved him to this pardon.

I have believed the best of every man,

And find that to believe it is enough

To make a bad man show him at his best,

Or even a good man swing his lantern higher.