If anyone doubts the power of words, spoken or written, they need only read Shakespeare. Among Shakespeare’s works, few have the power of the scene from his drama “Henry V”, known as the “St Crispin’s Day Speech”. Although Shakespeare’s work is a drama, he is describing real events and a little context can help readers better understand this amazing motivational speech.
The events surrounding the speech take place during the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) and involve a series of wars between England and France dealing with England’s claim to the French throne. Henry V was pulled into the war when the French king offended him directly and supported a plot against Henry’s life. The army of Henry V crossed the English Channel and started its campaign in France.
On October 25th, 1415 (St. Crispin’s Day), the French army intercepted King Henry near the village of Agincort, with approximately 36 thousand troops, compared to Henry’s nine thousand. On the background of his army’s anxious, demoralized state, he gives this famous speech. Henry himself led his men into battle and the French army was defeated.
It is interesting that according to sources from Burgundy, in the real life speech, Henry V told his men that the French had boasted that they would cut off two fingers from the right hand of every archer, so that he could never draw a longbow again. After the battle, English archers were showing French captives those fingers as if saying “See – my fingers are still here”. This gesture is now known as the “V” – victory gesture.
Artwork:
Shakespearian (Original) Text:
WESTMORELAND: O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day! KING (Henry V): What’s he that wishes so? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin. If we are marked to die, we are enough 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 call’d the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this 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 Crispian’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 rememb’red. 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 remembered, 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 accurs’d they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day. SALISBURY: My sovereign lord, bestow yourself with speed: The French are bravely in their battles set, And will with all expedience charge on us. KING (Henry V): All things are ready, if our minds be so. |
Modern Translation of “St. Crispin's Day Speech“: KING (Henry V): Who’s wishing that? My cousin Westmorland? No, my dear cousin, If we are marked down to die we are enough for our country to lose, and if marked down to live, the fewer The men the greater the share of honour. For the love of God, Don’t wish for one man more. By Jove, I’m not interested in gold, Nor do I care who eats at my expense. It doesn’t bother me who wears my clothes. Such outward things don’t come into my ambitions. But if it is a sin to long for honor I am the most offending soul alive. No, indeed, my cousin, don’t wish for another man from England. God’s peace, I wouldn’t lose as much honor As the share one man would take from me. No, don’t wish for one more. Rather proclaim to my army, Westmorland, That anyone who doesn’t have the stomach for this fight Should leave now. He will be guaranteed free passage And travel money will be put in his purse. We would not like to die with any man Who lacks the comradeship to die with us. This day is called the Feast of Crispian. He who outlives this day and gets home safely To reach old age Will yearly on its anniversary celebrate with his neighbors And say, “Tomorrow is Saint Crispian.” Then he will roll up his sleeve and show his scars And say “I got these wounds on Crispin’s day.” Old men are forgetful, but even if he remembers nothing else He’ll remember, with embroideries, What feats he did that day. Then our names, As familiar in his mouth as household words – Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester – Will be remembered in their toasts. This good man will teach his son, And Crispin Crispian will never pass from today Until the end of the world without us being remembered: We few; we happy few; we band of brothers! The man who sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; however humble he may be, This day will elevate his status. And gentlemen in England, still lying in their beds, Will think themselves accursed because they were not here, And be in awe while anyone speaks Who fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.’ |