[Torie]

Is that from the Chrispen's Day speech, or however it is spelled or called? IF so, that is one of the gleaming jewels of English literature, or literature in any language.

[Miss Marple]

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the 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 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 remember'd.
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 remember'd;
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 accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

[section9]

In all of Shakespeare, there is no more stirring a passage than that enunciated by King Henry V before his little army at Agincourt. I shall not reproduce it here, as that would require Formatting Hell, but I love it just the same.

Henry V, Act IV, Scene III.

And yes, it is the "St. Crispian's Day" oration.

Whenever you doubt whether or not we shall prevail in this war against Islamic Fascism, reread that speech. It is in the great tradition of Pericles' Funeral Oration. It gives you the reason, the very soul of the West, as to why we shall, in the end, prevail.

Be Seeing You,

Chris