Henry V: Prologue

Henry V      Prologue        Chorus

This speech is used in our interview with David Hammond

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1.  O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
2. The brightest heaven of invention,
3. A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
   
4. And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
   
5. Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
   
6. Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels,
   
7. Leash’d in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire
   
8. Crouch for employment. But pardon, gentles all,
   
9. The flat unraised spirits that have dared
   
10. On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
    
11. So great an object: can this cockpit hold
    
12. The vasty fields of France? or may we cram
    
13. Within this wooden O the very casques
    
14. That did affright the air at Agincourt?
    
15. O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
    
16. Attest in little place a million;
    
17. And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
    
18. On your imaginary forces work.
    
19. Suppose within the girdle of these walls
    
20. Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
    
21. Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
    
22. The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder:
    
23. Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
    
24. Into a thousand parts divide on man,
    
25. And make imaginary puissance;
    
26. Think when we talk of horses, that you see them
    
27. Printing their proud hoofs i’ the receiving earth;
    
28. For ’tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
    
29. Carry them here and there; jumping o’er times,
    
30. Turning the accomplishment of many years
    
31. Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,
    
32. Admit me Chorus to this history;
    
33. Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,
    
34. Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.