Part 14 (1/2)

Yon island carrions,[15] desperate of their bones, Ill-favour'dly become the morning field: Their ragged curtains poorly are let loose,[16]

And our air shakes them pa.s.sing scornfully: Big Mars seems bankrupt in their beggar'd host, And their executors, the knavish crows, Fly o'er them, all impatient for their hour.

Description cannot suit itself in words To demonstrate the life of such a battle In life so lifeless as it shows itself.

_Dau._ Shall we go send them dinners and fresh suits, And give their fasting horses provender, And after fight with them?

_Con._ On, to the field!

Come, come, away!

The sun is high, and we outwear the day.

[_Exeunt, R.H._

_Flourish of trumpets._

[Footnote IV.12: _Rambures_,] The Lord of Rambures was commander of the cross-bows in the French army at Agincourt.]

[Footnote IV.13: _And dout them_] _Dout_, is a word still used in Warwicks.h.i.+re, and signifies to _do out_, or _extinguish_.]

[Footnote IV.14: _----a hilding foe._] _Hilding_, or _hinderling_, is a _low wretch_.]

[Footnote IV.15: _Yon island carrion,_] This description of the English is founded on the melancholy account given by our historians of Henry's army, immediately before the battle of Agincourt.]

[Footnote IV.16: _Their ragged curtains poorly are let loose,_] By their _ragged curtains_, are meant their colours.]

SCENE III.--THE ENGLISH POSITION AT AGINCOURT.

_The English Army drawn up for battle;(E) GLOSTER, BEDFORD, EXETER, SALISBURY, ERPINGHAM, and WESTMORELAND._

_Glo._ (R.C.) Where is the king?

_Bed._ (L.C.) The king himself is rode to view their battle.[17]

_West._ (L.) Of fighting men they have full threescore thousand.

_Exe._ (L.C.) There's five to one; besides, they all are fresh.

_Erp._ It is fearful odds.

If we no more meet till we meet in heaven, Then, joyfully,--my n.o.ble lord of Bedford,--

[_Crosses to L._

My dear lord Gloster,--and my good lord Exeter,-- Warriors all, adieu!

[_Crosses back to R._

_West._ O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day!(F)

_Enter KING HENRY, attended.(G) U.E.L.H._

_K. Hen._ (C.) What's he that wishes so?

My cousin Westmoreland?--No, my fair cousin: If we are mark'd to die, we are enough To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

I pray thee, wish not one man more.

Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he who hath no stomach to this fight.