Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Henry V (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: James D. Mardock
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-409-7

    Copyright James D. Mardock. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: James D. Mardock
    Peer Reviewed

    Henry V (Quarto 1, 1600)

    of Henry the fift.
    We would not die in that mans company,
    That feares his fellowship to die with vs.
    This day is called the day of Cryspin,
    He that outliues this day, and sees old age,
    Shall stand a tiptoe when this day is named,
    And rowse him at the name of Cryspin.
    2285He that outliues this day, and comes safe home,
    Shall yearely on the vygill feast his friends,
    2290And say, to morrow is S. Cryspines day:
    Then shall we in their flowing bowles
    Be newly remembred. Harry the King,
    Bedford and Exeter, Clarence and Gloster,
    Warwick and Yorke.
    2295Familiar in their mouthes as houshold words.
    This story shall the good man tell his sonne,
    And from this day, vnto the generall doome:
    But we in it shall be remembred.
    We fewe, we happie fewe, we bond of brothers,
    For he to day that sheads his blood by mine,
    2305Shalbe my brother: be he nere so base,
    This day shall gentle his condition.
    Then shall he strip his sleeues, and shew his skars
    2291.1And say, these wounds I had on Crispines day:
    And Gentlemen in England now a bed,
    Shall thinke themselues accurst,
    And hold their manhood cheape,
    While any speake that fought with vs
    2310Vpon Saint Crispines day.
    Glost. My gracious Lord,
    The French is in the field.
    2315Kin. Why all things are ready, if our minds be so.
    War. Perish the man whose mind is backward now.
    King. Thou dost not wish more help frō England cousen?
    War. Gods will my Liege, would you and I alone,
    2320Without more helpe, might fight this battle out.
    E 2 King. Why