James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
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SCENE I.
The Same. Before Harfleur.
Alarums. Enter King Henry, Exeter, Bedford,
Gloster, and Soldiers, with Scaling Ladders.
K. Hen.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall6 note
up with our English dead!
In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man,
As modest stillness, and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger7 note
;
-- 338 --
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood8 note,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage:
Then lend the eye a terrible aspéct;
Let it pry through the portage of the head9 note
,
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it,
As fearfully, as doth a galled rock
O'erhand and jutty1 note
his confounded base2 note
,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean3 note
.
-- 339 --
Now set the teeth4 note
, and stretch the nostril wide;
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit5 note
To his full height!—On, on, you noble English6 note,
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof7 note
!
Fathers, that, like so many Alexanders,
Have, in these parts, from morn till even fought,
And sheath'd their swords for lack of argument8 note,
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest,
That those, whom you call'd fathers, did beget you!
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war!—And you, good yeomen,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding: which I doubt not;
-- 340 --
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips9 note,
Straining upon the start1 note. The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and, upon this charge,
Cry—God for Harry! England! and Saint George!
[Exeunt. Alarum, and Chambers go off.
James Boswell [1821], The plays and poems of William Shakspeare, with the corrections and illustrations of various commentators: comprehending A Life of the Poet, and an enlarged history of the stage, by the late Edmond Malone. With a new glossarial index (J. Deighton and Sons, Cambridge) [word count] [S10201].
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