KING HENRY V's Chess Speech
That he which hath no stomach to this game,
Let him depart; his entry fee shall be made
And pawns put back into his bag:
We would not resign in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to lose with us.
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 get out his score book and show his moves.
And say 'These gambits I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What mates he did that day.
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 FIDE,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of players;
For he to-day that sheds his brain cells with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er such a fish,
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 tournament's day.
Sources
Jay McKeen
nhukkspamno@acsworld.net (kuhnfucius)
in rec.games.chess.misc