Page:The poetical works of William Blake; a new and verbatim text from the manuscript engraved and letterpress originals (1905).djvu/73

 You yet are whole; but, after a few more

Retreats, we all shall know how to retreat

Better than fight.—To be plain, I think retreating

Too often takes away a soldier's courage.

Chand. Here comes the King himself: tell him your thoughts

Plainly, Sir Thomas.

Dagw. I've told him before, but his disorder

Makes him deaf.

Enter King Edward and Black Prince.

King. Good morrow, Generals; when English courage fails,

Down goes our right to France.

But we are conquerors every where; nothing

Can stand our soldiers; each man is worthy

Of a triumph. Such an army of heroes

Ne'er shouted to the Heav'ns, nor shook the field.

Edward, my son, thou art

Most happy, having such command: the man

Were base who were not fir'd to deeds

Above heroic, having such examples.

Prince. Sire, with respect and deference I look

Upon such noble souls, and wish myself

Worthy the high command that Heaven and you

Have given me. When I have seen the field glow,

And in each countenance the soul of war

Curb'd by the manliest reason, I have been wing'd

With certain victory; and 'tis my boast.

And shall be still my glory, I was inspir'd

By these brave troops.

Dagw. Your Grace had better make

Them all Generals.

King. Sir Thomas Dagworth, you must have your joke,

And shall, while you can fight as you did at

The Ford.

Dagw. I have a small petition to your Majesty.

King. What can Sir Thomas Dagworth ask that Edward

Can refuse?

Dagw. I hope your Majesty cannot refuse so great

A trifle; I've gilt your cause with my best blood,

And would again, were I not forbid

By him whom I am bound to obey: my hands

Are tied up, my courage shrunk and wither'd,

My sinews slacken'd, and my voice scarce heard;

Therefore I beg I may return to England.

King. I know not what you could have ask'd, Sir Thomas,

That I would not have sooner parted with

Than such a soldier as you have been, and such a friend:

Nay, I will know the most remote particulars

Of this your strange petition; that if I can

I still may keep you here.