Page 1677 - Shakespeare - Vol. 2

Let him cry, “Praise and glory on his head!”.
For forth he goes and visits all his host,
Bids them good-morrow with a modest smile,
And calls them brothers, friends and countrymen.

Upon his royal face there is no note [35]
How dread an army hath enrounded him,
Nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour
Unto the weary and all-watchèd night;

But freshly looks and overbears attaint
With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty; [40]
That every wretch, pining and pale before,
Beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks.

A largess universal like the sun
His liberal eye doth give to every one,
Thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all, [45]
Behold, as may unworthiness define,

A little touch of Harry in the night.
And so our scene must to the battle fly;
Where − O for pity! − we shall much disgrace
With four or five most vile and ragged foils, [50]

Right ill-dispos’d in brawl ridiculous,
The name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see;
Minding true things by what their mock’ries be.
Exit.

Scene I IT

Enter King [Henry], Bedford, and Gloucester.

KING HENRY
Gloucester, ’tis true that we are in great danger;
The greater therefore should our courage be.

Good morrow, brother Bedford. God Almighty!
There is some soul of goodness in things evil,
Would men observingly distil it out; [5]
For our bad neighbour makes us early stirrers,

Which is both healthful and good husbandry;