During the Napoleonic Wars, just prior to the Battle of the Nile, Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, then Rear Admiral of the Blue, referred to his captains as his ' band of brothers'.That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.Ĭultural influence Use and quotation Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,Īnd hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers įor he to-day that sheds his blood with me This story shall the good man teach his son įrom this day to the ending of the world, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-īe in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red. Then shall our names,įamiliar in his mouth as household words. Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,Īnd say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.' Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, He that shall see this day, and live old age, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, This day is call'd the feast of Crispian. That fears his fellowship to die with us. Let him depart his passport shall be made,Īnd crowns for convoy put into his purse That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Rather proclaim it, Westmorland, through my host, God's peace! I would not lose so great an honourĪs one man more methinks would share from meįor the best hope I have. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. Such outward things dwell not in my desires. It yearns me not if men my garments wear God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. The fewer men, the greater share of honour. My cousin, Westmorland? No, my fair cousin But one ten thousand of those men in England

William shakespeare king henry