1    Now entertain conjecture of a time
2    When creeping murmur and the poring dark
3    Fills the wide vessel of the universe.
4    From camp to camp through the foul womb of night
5    The hum of either army stilly sounds,
6    That the fixed sentinels almost receive
7    The secret whispers of each other's watch:
8    Fire answers fire, and through their paly flames
9    Each battle sees the other's umber'd face;
10   Steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs
11   Piercing the night's dull ear, and from the tents
12   The armourers, accomplishing the knights,
13   With busy hammers closing rivets up,
14   Give dreadful note of preparation:
15   The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll,
16   And the third hour of drowsy morning name.
17   Proud of their numbers and secure in soul,
18   The confident and over-lusty French
19   Do the low-rated English play at dice;
20   And chide the cripple tardy-gaited night
21   Who, like a foul and ugly witch, doth limp
22   So tediously away. The poor condemned English,
23   Like sacrifices, by their watchful fires
24   Sit patiently and inly ruminate
25   The morning's danger, and their gesture sad
26   Investing lank-lean; cheeks and war-worn coats
27   Presenteth them unto the gazing moon
28   So many horrid ghosts. O now, who will behold
29   The royal captain of this ruin'd band
30   Walking from watch to watch, from tent to tent,
31   Let him cry 'Praise and glory on his head!'
32   For forth he goes and visits all his host.
33   Bids them good morrow with a modest smile
34   And calls them brothers, friends and countrymen.
35   Upon his royal face there is no note
36   How dread an army hath enrounded him;
37   Nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour
38   Unto the weary and all-watched night,
39   But freshly looks and over-bears attaint
40   With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty;
41   That every wretch, pining and pale before,
42   Beholding him, plucks comfort from his looks:
43   A largess universal like the sun
44   His liberal eye doth give to every one,
45   Thawing cold fear, that mean and gentle all,
46   Behold, as may unworthiness define,
47   A little touch of Harry in the night.
48   And so our scene must to the battle fly;
49   Where--O for pity!--we shall much disgrace
50   With four or five most vile and ragged foils,
51   Right ill-disposed in brawl ridiculous,
52   The name of Agincourt. Yet sit and see,
53   Minding true things by what their mockeries be.