Henry V, Act IV, Scene III, Discourse before the Battle of Agincourt

Henry V and his army are trying to reach the coast of France in order to embark for England. But they are cut off and surrounded by a French army that is much larger than their own army. It is night, and the French are only waiting for the morning in order to launch their attack. They are confident of an easy victory. The English know that they are at a great disadvantage and one of them expresses the wish that they had more soldiers with them.

Henry replies by saying that he does not wish to have more men, as he wants these few men to have all the honor of fighting the battle. In his inspiring speach, he tells his soldiers that, rather than feel unfortunate, they should feel themselves especially fortunate to have the honor to fight in this battle.

Enter the KING

WESTMORELAND

O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!

KING HENRY V

What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin:
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; cost - expense
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, host - army
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse: crowns - money / convoy - passage
We would not die in that man's company
hat fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages advantages - exaggerations
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, Crispin - brother to Cripian; also a saint
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
for he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, vile - of low social class
This day shall gentle his condition: gentle his condition - elevate him in rank
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.


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