Carolyn,
>* Crispin and Crispinian, martyrs (?)
>- notable cult in northern Europe, especially England; they are
>mentioned by Shakespeare (Henry V, iv, 3)
Have just given a lecture on the Battle of Agincourt and have a copy of the
crispy speech to hand. It looks as though even in Shakespeare's day there
was a tendency to merge the two martyrs together. Harry's speech begins
with Crispian, moves to Crispin, then Crispin Crispian, then Crispin.
Pretty understandable really.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.’
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
>From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Happy Saint Crispin Crispian Day,
Hilary
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Dr Hilary M. Carey
Editor, JRH
Department of History ph: +61 2 49 215209
University of Newcastle fax:+61 2 49 216940
NSW 2308
AUSTRALIA email: [log in to unmask]
Journal of Religious History
<http://www.blackwellpublishers.co.uk>
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