Today is Saint Crispian

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Cousin Alex Hall
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Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:27 pm

Today is Saint Crispian

Post by Cousin Alex Hall »

I haven't read several of these poems and comments yet, but this was brought to my attention today - and 'Lil's birthday! (happy!) - by my family.

Alex


King Henry V:
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.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian":
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day. (IV, iii)


-The Loquacious Munificent Peasants' Peasant, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.


(I have said, I am completly bowled over and turned into blubber by that writing of Shakespeare's. What incredible verse and play of ideas. And what soul! That kind of valor..)
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Ian
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Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:46 pm

Post by Ian »

i love henry v, and i love the kenneth branagh film.
it's awesome!
:rocking:
so let it be written... so let it be done.
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John
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Re: Today is Saint Crispian

Post by John »

We were just reminded of this great speech from Richard II that might serve as a companion to the magnificent St. Crispian speech here recorded. If you've never heard it fall from Leslie Howard's lips at the close of "The Scarlet Pimpernel", you haven't lived:
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
William Shakespeare, "King Richard II", Act 2 scene 1
"Music's golden tongue flatter'd to tears this aged man and poor."
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