Author Topic: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V  (Read 13714 times)

Offline GhostWarrior

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Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« on: February 04, 2011, 11:44:44 AM »
This is from a Play written by the Bard and it is the speech given by Henry the V just before he and his troops fought another army that outnumbered them, and no one expected Henry's army to win. I have always believe If you change the names and places this speech is meant for and to every person living or dead that fought for their country for what they believed in, no matter the odds, but most especially I have always thought of it as the definition of the men and woman in the US Military.  My only regret, and constant shame  is that our government chooses not to remember the meaning of this speech:

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 enow
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.


 
« Last Edit: June 28, 2011, 11:56:19 PM by GhostWarrior »
If at first you don't succeed, then Skydiving is not your sport.

Welcome Home every Veteran and active Service personnel and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice

bre346

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Re: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2011, 11:54:29 AM »
I consider this speech most aprapo of the veteran warrior. It comforts us in our cups, i our stories and in our old age. By the lord Harry, we went, we fought and we won, and now we can sit around and remember as much or little as we want.

Fellow warrior of yester year and yesterday, I salute you.

Offline GhostWarrior

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Re: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2011, 12:03:00 PM »
Well and truelly spoken Sir, Thank you for adding that.
If at first you don't succeed, then Skydiving is not your sport.

Welcome Home every Veteran and active Service personnel and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice

b5.5dan

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Re: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2011, 09:42:53 PM »
I guess i'm the geek for having more experience with this in its historic and literal significance...  :rolleyes:
Still, great speech. One of my all-time favorites

bre346

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Re: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2011, 08:23:33 AM »
I found Shakespeare hard to read most of the time, but when I got to thinking about this particular speech it aroused a communion with this old warrior. His descriptions are so apt when we meet at a reunion.

The Enterprise Association will have its last nationwide reunion in Austin at the end of this month.
There are only a pitiful few of us left.  :sad:

Offline GhostWarrior

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Re: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2011, 08:48:02 AM »
         I wish that could have been held a week later. Because I would like to have been able to shake every last one of the crews hands and tell them How much I appreciate the sacrifice and service they have given to our country. On that day a Hugh, amazing and glorious (as much as glory can ever be used in association with war) chapter in our Nations history will be closed.
If at first you don't succeed, then Skydiving is not your sport.

Welcome Home every Veteran and active Service personnel and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice

mystique

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Re: Shakespeare & the Speech from Henry the V
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2012, 03:27:04 AM »
Great post.  Thank you for your service, Ghost Warrior.  Thank you all that have served.  For those that have come home - WELCOME HOME - your job has been well done.  For those that are still in service stay safe, take care of each other and know that your country loves you.  For those that will never come home know that you are missed every day, you will never be forgotten  and will forever be in our hearts.