[....,,,,..,,..]

WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!

KING. What’s he that wishes so?
My cousin, Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
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 nam’d,
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 Crispin'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.


Have a lovely St Crispins Day.

[carl w]

Don't forget Balaclava!

Kindest Regards
Carl.

[Nick the Greek]

And the sparrow said to the hawk......

[carl w]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

And the sparrow said to the hawk......

?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by carl w

Don't forget Balaclava!

Kindest Regards
Carl.

Balaclava was not a victory nor a defeat.

However, the 'we few, we happy... Very much applies to both the 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders (and marines), along with the Light Brigade charge.

The 93rd are picked out, as they gave rise to 'The Thin Red Line'

Balaclava did lead to the Battle of Inkerman, that was a victory for the allies.

The Crimea is also when the British army moved from muskets to Enfield rifles.

[carl w]

Balaclava was not a victory nor a defeat

'Yes but it was on todays date, as were a number of famous battles. Win or lose many brave soles lost their lives'.

Kindest Regards
Carl.

[Tom Tallon]

Well done Brigand - who said Geordies were rude and uncouth - this is very couth!

The self same speech was made by a British punter on the day Fred Winter rode Mandarin to win the French Grand National many years ago in spite of breaking the horses bridle and foul tactics from French Jockeys. No doubt the punter was drunk as he was dancing on a table at the time but why not in his efforts to stick it up the French.

Long live Agincourt.