The life of Henry the Fifth

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 Excerpt: ...of fear, lest 115 he, by showing it, should dishearten his army. Bates. He may show what outward courage he will; but I believe, as cold a night as 'tis, he could wish himself in Thames up to the 120 neck; and so I would he were, and I by him, at all adventures, so we were quit here. K. Hen. By my troth, I will speak my conscience of the King: I think he would not wish himself anywhere but where he is. 125 Bates. Then I would he were here alone; so should he be sure to be ransomed, and a many poor men's lives saved. K. Hen. I dare say you love him not so ill, to wish him here alone, howsoever you speak this to 180 feel other men's minds. Methinks I could not die anywhere so contented as in the King's company, his cause being just and his quarrel honourable. Will. That's more than we know. 135 Bates. Ay, or more than we should seek after; for we know enough, if we know we are the King's subjects. If his cause be wrong, our obedience to the King wipes the crime of it out of us. Will. But if the cause be not good, the King him-140 self hath a heavy reckoning to make, when all those legs and arms and heads, chopp'd off in a battle, shall join together at the latter day and cry all, "We died at such a place"; some swearing, some crying for a surgeon, some upon their wives left poor behind them, some 145 upon the debts they owe, some upon their children rawly left. I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle; for how can they charitably dispose of anything, when blood is their argument? Now, if these men do not 150 die well, it will be a black matter for the King that led them to it; who to disobey were against all proportion of subjection. K. Hen. So, if a son that is by his father sent about merchandise do sinfully miscarry upon 155 the se...