Henry V by William Shakespeare

Act 0 - Scene 1

Prologue.

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

Next: Act 1 - Scene 1