Chorus

1 - 53

1. Now entertain conjecture of a time
2. When creeping murmur and the poring dark
3. Fills the wide vessel of the universe.
4. From camp to camp, through the foul womb of night,
5. The hum of either army stilly sounds,
6. That the fix’d sentinels almost receive
7. The secret whispers of each other’s watch.
8. Fire answers fire, and through their paly flames
9. Each battle sees the other’s umber’d face.
10. Steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs
11. Piercing the night’s dull ear; and from the tents
12. The armorers, accomplishing the knights,
13. With busy hammers closing rivets up,
14. Give dreadful note of preparation.
15. The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll,
16. And the third hour of drowsy morning name.
17. Proud of their numbers and secure in soul,
18. The confident and overlusty French
19. Do the low-rated English play at dice;
20. And chide the cripple tardy-gaited night,
21. Who like a foul and ugly witch doth limp
22. So tediously away. The poor condemned English,
23. Like sacrifices, by their watchful fires
24. Sit patiently and inly ruminate
25. The morning’s danger; and their gesture sad,
26. Investing lank-lean cheeks and war-worn coats,
27. Presented them unto the gazing moon
28. So many horrid ghosts. O now, who will behold
29. The royal captain of this ruin’d band
30. Walking from watch to watch, from tent to tent,
31. Let him cry, “Praise and glory on his head!”
32. For forth he goes, and visits all his host,
33. Bids them good morrow with a modest smile,
34. And calls them brothers, friends, and countrymen.
35. Upon his royal face there is no note
36. How dread an army hath enrounded him;
37. Nor doth he dedicate one jot of color
38. Unto the weary and all-watched night;
39. But freshly looks, and overbears attaint
40. With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty;
41. That every wretch, pining and pale before,
42. Beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks.
43. A largess universal, like the sun,
44. His liberal eye doth give to every one,
45. Thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all
46. Behold, as may unworthiness define,
47. A little touch of Harry in the night.
48. And so our scene must to the battle fly;
49. Where—O for pity!—we shall much disgrace
50. With four or five most vile and ragged foils
51. (Right ill dispos’d, in brawl ridiculous)
52. The name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see,
53. Minding true things by what their mock’ries be.