Henry V (1989)

Derek Jacobi: Chorus

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Chorus : [lights a match]  O, for a Muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention...

  [switches on the lights to a soundstage, and walks across it] 

  Chorus : A kingdom for a stage, princes to act and monarchs to behold the swelling scene. Then should the war-like Harry, like himself, assume the port of Mars, and at his heels, leashed in like hounds, should Famine, Sword, and Fire crouch for employment. But pardon, Gentles all, the flat unraised Spirits that hath dared, on this unworthy scaffold, to bring forth so great an object. Can this cockpit hold the vast fields of France? Or may we cram within this wooden O, the very casques that did affright the air at Agincourt? O, pardon. And let us, cyphers to this great accompt, on your imaginary forces work. For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our Kings, carry them here and there, jumping over times, turning the accomplishment of many years into an hourglass. For the which supply, admit me Chorus to this history. Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray: gently to hear, kindly to judge... our Play!

  [opens the doors to the English court] 

• Chorus : Behold, as may unworthiness define / a little touch of Harry in the night.

• [last lines] 

  Chorus : Thus far, with rough and all-unable pen, our bending author hath pursued the story, in little room confining mighty men, angling by starts the full course of their glory. Small time, but in that small most greatly lived this star of England: Fortune made his sword, by which the world's best garden he achieved. And of it left his son imperial lord, Henry the Sixth, in infant bands crowned king. Of France and England, did this king succeed, whose state so many had the managing, that they lost France and made his England bleed. Which oft our stage hath shown, and for their sake, in your fair minds, let this acceptance take.

  [closes the doors to the English court]