University of Virginia Library

UPON THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOURT, Written by His Deare Friend MICHAELL DRAYTON Esquire.

Had Henryes name beene onely met in Prose,
Recorded by the humble wit of those,
Who write of lesse then Kings; who victory,
As calmely mention, as a Pedigree,
The French, alike with us, might view his name
His actions too, and not confesse a shame:
Nay, grow at length, so boldly troublesome,
As, to dispute if they were overcome.
But thou hast wakte their feares: thy fiercer hand
Hath made their shame as lasting, as their land.
By thee againe they are compeld to knowe
How much of Fate is in an English foe.
They bleede afresh by thee, and thinke the harme
Such; they could rather wish, t'were Henryes arme:
Who thankes thy painfull quill; and holds it more
To be thy Subject now, then King before.
By thee he conquers yet; when ev'ry word
Yeelds him a fuller honour, then his sword.
Strengthens his action against time: by thee,
Hee victory, and France, doth hold in fee.
So well observ'd he is, that ev'ry thing
Speakes him not onely English, but a King.
And France, in this, may boast her fortunate
That shee was worthy of so brave a hate.
Her suffring is her gayne. How well we see
The Battaile labourd worthy him, and thee,
Where, wee may Death discover with delight,
And entertaine a pleasure from a fight.
Where wee may see how well it doth become
The brav'ry of a Prince to overcome.
What Power is a Poet: that can add
A life to Kings, more glorious, then they had.
For what of Henry, is unsung by thee,
Henry doth want of his Eternity.