King Henry V · William Shakespeare
SCENE CLOSES IN.
_Cho._ The poor condemned English, Like sacrifices, by their watchful fires Sit patiently, and inly ruminate The morning's danger; and their gestures sad, Investing lank-lean cheeks, and war-worn coats, Presenteth them unto the gazing moon So many horrid ghosts. [_Scene re-opens, discovering the English camp, with group of soldiery praying. After a pause the scene closes._ O, now, who will behold The royal captain of this ruin'd band Walking from watch to watch, from tent to tent, Let him cry--Praise and glory on his head! For forth he goes and visits all his host; Bids them good-morrow with a modest smile, And calls them--brothers, friends, and countrymen. Upon his royal face there is no note How dread an army hath enrounded him; Nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour Unto the weary and all-watched night; But freshly looks, and overbears attaint With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty; That every wretch, pining and pale before, Beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks: Then, mean and gentle all, Behold, as may unworthiness define, A little touch of Harry in the night: And so our scene must to the battle fly; The field of Agincourt. Yet, sit and see; Minding true things[7] by what their mockeries be. [_Exit._ [Footnote IVc.1: _----+stilly+ sounds,_] i.e., gently, lowly.] [Footnote IVc.2: _The secret whispers of each other's watch:_] Holinshed says, that the distance between the two armies was but 250 paces.]
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.