Nought shall make us rue,
If England to itself do rest but true.
Faulconbridge's patriotism is a vivacious spur to good endeavour in
every relation of life.
Henry V. is drawn by Shakespeare at fuller length than Faulconbridge.
His character is cast in a larger mould. But his patriotism is of the
same spirited, wholesome type. Though Henry is a born soldier, he
discourages insolent aggression or reckless displays of prowess in
fight. With greater emphasis than his archbishops and bishops he
insists that his country's sword should not be unsheathed except at
the bidding of right and conscience. At the same time, he is terrible
in resolution when the time comes for striking blows. War, when it is
once invoked, must be pursued with all possible force and fury:--
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility.
But when the blast of war blows in his ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger.[35]
[Footnote 35: On this point the Shakespearean oracle always speaks
with a decisive and practical note:--
Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in
Bear't that the opposed may beware of thee.
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