I would it went as well as with mine earldom,
Leofwin's and Gurth's.
TOSTIG. Ye govern milder men.
GURTH. We have made them milder by just government.
TOSTIG. Ay, ever give yourselves your own good word.
LEOFWIN. An honest gift, by all the Saints, if giver
And taker be but honest! but they bribe
Each other, and so often, an honest world
Will not believe them.
HAROLD. I may tell thee, Tostig,
I heard from thy Northumberland to-day.
TOSTIG. From spies of thine to spy my nakedness
In my poor North!
HAROLD. There is a movement there,
A blind one--nothing yet.
TOSTIG. Crush it at once
With all the power I have!--I must--I will!--
Crush it half-born! Fool still? or wisdom there,
My wise head-shaking Harold?
HAROLD. Make not thou
The nothing something. Wisdom when in power
And wisest, should not frown as Power, but smile
As kindness, watching all, till the true _must_
Shall make her strike as Power: but when to strike--
O Tostig, O dear brother--If they prance,
Rein in, not lash them, lest they rear and run
And break both neck and axle.
TOSTIG. Good again!
Good counsel tho' scarce needed. Pour not water
In the full vessel running out at top
To swamp the house.
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