MY STUDY CARDS RECITATION DUE: ______
from Henry St. Crispian’s Day Speech
William Shakespeare
Prior to leading his exhausted troops into a heavily outnumbered battle, what
couldKing Henry V possibly say that would inspire his starving men to fight
in theBattle of Agincourt?
The following speech isWilliam Shakespeare’s response to that question.
In Shakespeare’shistorical play, Henry V, Shakespeare eloquently crafts words and
ideas that show how one of England’s greatest leaders, Henry V, may have
persuadedhis men to fight. Henry V attempted to inspire his menfor their boldness
andbravery in the face of overwhelming odds. The opposingarmy outnumbered his
men, and it appearedas if Henry and histroops would be defeated.
NOTECARD 1
1 This day is call’d the feast of Crispian:
2 He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
3 Will stand a’ tiptoe when this day is named,
4 And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
5 He that shall live this day, and see old age,
6 Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
7 And say, “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.”
8 Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
9 And say, “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.”
NOTECARD 2
10 Old Men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
11 But he’ll remember with advantages
12 What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
13 Familiar his mouth as household words,
14 Harry the King,Bedford and Exeter,
15 Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
16 Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.
NOTECARD 3
17 This story shall the good man teach his son;
18 And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
19 From this day to the ending of the world,
20 But we in it shall be remembered
21 We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
NOTECARD 4
22 For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
23 Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
24 This day shall gentle his condition;
25 And gentlemen in England, now a-bed
26 Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here;
27 And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
28 That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
dmgiuliano@lowerdauphin2000
feast of Crispian St. Crispin’s Day,October 25, a religious holiday celebrating two early Christian
martyrs.
Harry the King King Henry V, ruler of England, 1413-1422
Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester lords in King Henry V’s army