THE VICTORY OF AGINCOURT

À council] grave our king did hold, With many a lord and knight ; That they might truly understand, That France did hold his right.

Unto the king of France therefore Ambassadors were sent,

That he might fully understand His mind and his intent:

Desiring him in friendly wise,

His lawful right to yield ;

Or else he vow’d, by dint of sword To win the same in field.

The king of France with all his lards,

Wich heard his message plain, Unto our brave ambassadors Did answer in disdain ;

And feign’d our king was yet too young,

And of too tender age :

Therefore we weigk not of his war Nor fear we his courage.

His knowledge is in feats of arms As yet but very small :

His tender joints much fitter were To toss a tennis ball.

À tun of tennis balls therefore, In pride and great disdain,

He sent unto noble king,

To recompense his pain.

Whichanswer when our king did hear, He waxed wroth in hearth ; And said he would such balls provide, Should make all France to smart.

An army then our king did raise,

Which was both good and strong ; And from Southampton is our king With all his navy gone.

In France he landed safe and sound, With all his warlike train ;

And to the town of Harfleur straight He marched up a-main :

But when he had besieg'd the same Against their fenced walls,

To batter down theïr stately towers, He sent his English balls.

This done, our noble English king

March’d up and down the land ;

And not a Frenchman for his life

Durst once his force withstand,

Until he came to Agincourt ; Where as it was his chance To find the king in readiness With all his power of France.

À mighty host he had prepar’d

Of armed soldiers then ; -

Which were no less, by just account, Than forty thousand men.

Which sightdid much amaze our king; For he and all his host

Not passing fifteen thousand had, Accounted at the most.

Thekingof France, which well did know The number of our men,

In vaunting pride unto our prince

Did send a herald then ;

To understand what he would give For ranson of his life,

When he in field should taken be Amidst their bloody strife.

And thenour king, with cheerful heart, This answer soon did make ;

And said, before this comes to pass, Some of their hearts shall quake.

And to their proud presumptuous prince

Declare this thing, quoth he,

Mine own heart’s blood shall pay the [price ;]

None else he gets of me.

With that bespoke the duke of York ; O noble king, quoth he,

The bading of this battle brave Vouchsafe to give to me.

God a mercy, cousin York, quoth he, Î grant thee thy request ;

Then march thou on courageously, And I will bad the rest.

Then came the bragging Frenchmen [down]

With greater force and might ;

With whom our noble king began

À hard and cruel fight.

Thearchers they discharg’d their shafte, As thick as haïl from sky ;

That many a Frenchman in the field That happy day did die.

Ten thousand men that day were slain Of enemies in the field

And as many prisoners

That day were forc’d to yield.

Thus had our king a happy day,

And victory over France ;

And brought them quickly under foot, That late in pride did France.

The Lord préserve our noble king, And grant to him likewise

The upper hand and victory

Of all his enemies.

(Old ballads historical and narrative, by Thomas Evans, tome I, pages 851-855.)