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Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
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SCENE I. Before Harfleur. [Alarum.] Enter king Henry, Exeter, Bedford, Gloster, and soldiers, with scaling ladders.

K. Henry.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
1 note

Or close the wall up with the English dead!
In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man,

-- 68 --


As modest stillness, and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears2 note








,
Then imitate the action of the tyger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage:
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let it pry through the 3 noteportage of the head,
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it,
As fearfully, as doth a galled rock
O'er-hang and jutty 4 notehis confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth, and stretch the nostril wide;
Hold hard the breath, and 5 notebend up every spirit
To his full height!—On, on, you noblest English,
Whose blood is set from fathers of war-proof6 note




!

-- 69 --


Fathers, that, like so many Alexanders,
Have, in these parts, from morn 'till even fought,
And sheath'd their swords for lack of 7 noteargument.
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, shew us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding: which I doubt not;
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 slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot;
Follow your spirit: and, upon this charge,
Cry—God for Harry! England! and saint George! [Exeunt King and train. [Alarm, and chambers go off.
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Samuel Johnson [1778], The plays of William Shakspeare. In ten volumes. With the corrections and illustrations of various commentators; to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. The second edition, Revised and Augmented (Printed for C. Bathurst [and] W. Strahan [etc.], London) [word count] [S10901].
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