King Henry V · William Shakespeare
KING HENRY THE FIFTH.
_Enter CHORUS._ O for a muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention,[1] A kingdom for a stage, princes to act, And monarchs to behold the swelling scene! Then should the warlike Harry, like himself, Assume the port of Mars;[2] and, at his heels, Leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword, and fire, Crouch for employment.(A) But pardon, gentles all, The flat unraised spirit that hath dar'd On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth So great an object: Can this cockpit hold[3] The vasty fields of France? or may we cram Upon this little stage[4] the very casques[5] That did affright the air at Agincourt? O, pardon! since a crooked figure may Attest in little place, a million; And let us, cyphers to this great accompt, On your imaginary forces[6] work. Suppose within the girdle of these walls Are now confined two mighty monarchies, Whose high upreared and abutting fronts The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder:[7] Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts; Into a thousand parts divide one man,[8] And make imaginary puissance;[9] For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings, Carry them here and there; jumping o'er times, Turning the accomplishment of many years Into an hour-glass: For the which supply, Admit me Chorus to this history; Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray, Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.