1)
"O! for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest
heaven of invention."
Chorus,
Prologue, appealing for inspiration to depict the story
2)
"Can this cockpit hold
The vasty fields
of France? or may we cram
Within
this wooden O the very casques
That did affright
the air at Agincourt?"
Chorus,
Prologue, contrasting the limitations of the stage in presenting the
battle of Agincourt
3)
"Now all the youth of England are on fire,
And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies."
Chorus,
Act 2 lines 1-2, describing the enthusiasm with which the young men of
England greet the prospect of war.
4)
"Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead!
In peace
there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest
stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect."
Act
3, scene 1, lines 1-9, King Henry urging his men on at the siege of
Harfleur.
5) I
see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry 'God for
Harry! England and Saint George!'
Act
3, scene 1, lines 31-34, Henry's rousing conclusion to his speech at
Harfleur.
6)
"A little touch of Harry in the night."
Act
4, Chorus, line 47. Chorus describes Henry's visit to his men the
night before the battle.
7)
"I am afear'd there are few die well that die in a battle; for how
can they charitably dispose of any thing when blood is their
argument?"
Act
4 scene 1, lines 143-46, the English soldier Williams speaking on the
night before the battle of Agincourt.
8)
"He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
And say, 'Tomorrow is Saint Crispin:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say, 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Act
4, scene 3, lines 44-48, from King Henry's speech to his men before
the battle of Agincourt.
9)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."
Act
4, scene 3, line 60, King Henry, same speech
10)
"And gentlemen in England now a-bed,
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here;
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with
us upon Saint Crispin's day."
Act
4, scene 3, lines 64-67, King Henry, conclusion to his speech before
Agincourt.
|