The Life of Henry the Fifth

O for a muse of fire, that would ascend

23The brightest heaven of invention,

34A kingdom for a stage, princes to act,

45And monarchs to behold the swelling scene.

56Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,

67Assume the port of Mars, and at his heels,

78Leashed in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire

89Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles all,

910The flat unraisèd spirits that hath dared,

1011On this unworthy scaffold, to bring forth

1112So great an object. Can this cockpit hold

1213The vasty fields of France? Or may we cram

1314Within this wooden O the very casques

1415That did affright the air at Agincourt?

1516Oh, pardon, since a crooked figure may

1617Attest in little place a million,

1718And let us, ciphers to this great account,

1819On your imaginary forces work.

1920Suppose within the girdle of these walls

2021Are now confined two mighty monarchies,

2122Whose high, uprearèd, and abutting fronts

2223The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder.

2324Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts:

2425Into a thousand parts divide one man,

2526And make imaginary puissance.

2627Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them

2728Printing their proud hooves i'th'receiving earth.

2829For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,

2930Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times,

3031Turning th'accomplishment of many years

3132Into an hourglass: for the which supply,

3233Admit me Chorus to this history,

3334Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray

3435Gently to hear, kindly to judge our play.