English Verse Volume 3 (Paperback)

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. 1883 Excerpt: ...mouth of Seine, With all his martial train Landed King Harry. And, taking many a fort, Furnish'd in warlike sort, Marcheth tow'rds Agincourt In happy hour, (Skirmishing day by day With those oppose his way) Where the French General lay With all his power. Which, in his height of pride King Henry to deride, His ransom to provide To the King sending; Which he neglects the while, As from a nation vile, Yet with an angry smile Their fall portending. And, turning to his men, Quoth our brave Henry then: "Though they to one be ten, Be not amazed Yet have we well begun; Battles so bravely won Have ever to the sun By Fame been raised "And for myself"--quoth he, --"This my full rest shall be, England ne'er mourn for me Nor more esteem me;--Victor I will remain Or on this earth lie slain: Never shall she sustain Loss to redeem me. "Poictiers and Cressy tell, When most their pride did swell, Under our swords they fell: No less our skill is Than when our grandsire great, Claiming the regal seat, By many a warlike feat Lopp'd the French lilies." The Duke of York so dread The eager vanward led; With the main Henry sped Amongst his henchmen; Excester had the rear, A braver man not there, --O Lord how hot they were On the false Frenchmen I They now to fight are gone: Armour on armour shone, Drum now to drum did groan--To hear was wonder; That, with the cries they make, The very earth did shake; Trumpet to trumpet spake, --Thunder to thunder. Well it thine age became, O noble Erpingham Which didst the signal aim To our hid forces, --When from a meadow by, Like a storm suddenly, The English archery Stuck the French horses. With Spanish yew so strong, Arrows a cloth-yard long That like to serpents stung, Piercing the weather, --None from his fellow ...