They now to fight are gone, Armour on armour shone, Drum now to drum did groan,

To hear was wonder; That with the cries they make The very earth did shake: Trumpet to trumpet spake,

Thunder to thunder.

Well it thine age became,
O noble Erpingham,
Which didst the signal aim

To our hid forces!
When from a meadow by,
Like a storm suddenly
The English archery

Stuck the French horses.

With Spanish yew so strong,
Arrows a cloth-yard long
That like to serpents stung,

Piercing the weather;
None from his fellow starts,
But playing manly parts,
And like true English hearts
Stuck close together.

When down their bows they threw,
And forth their bilbos drew,
And on the French they flew,

Not one was tardy;
Arms were from shoulders sent,
Scalps to the teeth were rent,
Down the French peasants went
Our men were hardy.

This while our noble king,
His broadsword brandishing,
Down the French host did ding

As to o'erwhelm it;
And many a deep wound lent,
His arms with blood besprent,
And many a cruel dent

Bruised his helmet.

Gloster, that duke so good,
Next of the royal blood,
For famous England stood

With his brave brother; Clarence, in steel so bright, Though but a maiden knight, Yet in that furious fight

Scarce such another.

Warwick in blood did wade,
Oxford the foe invade,
And cruel slaughter made
Still as they ran up;
Suffolk his axe did ply,
Beaumont and Willoughby
Bare them right doughtily,
Ferrers and Fanhope.

Upon Saint Crispin's Day Fought was this noble fray, Which fame did not delay

To England to carry. O when shall English men With such acts fill a pen? Or England breed again Such a King Harry?

TO THE VIRGINIAN VOYAGE

You brave heroic minds

Worthy your country's name,
That honour still pursue;

Go and subdue!

Whilst loitering hinds

Lurk here at home with shame.

Britons, you stay too long: Quickly aboard bestow you, And with a merry gale Swell your stretch'd sail With vows as strong

As the winds that blow you.

Your course securely steer,
West and by south forth keep!
Rocks, lee-shores, nor shoals
When Eolus scowls

You need not fear;

So absolute the deep.

And cheefully at sea

Success you still entice
To get the pearl and gold,
And ours to hold

Virginia,

Earth's only paradise.

Where nature hath in store Fowl, vension, and fish, And the fruitfull'st soil Without your toil