[_The preceding page is a reduced reproduction of the title-page of the first edition, which contains, as will be seen, several poems besides “The Battaile of Agincourt” which are not included in the present reprint._] _To you those Noblest of Gentlemen, of these Renowned Kingdomes of Great Britaine: who in these declining times, haue yet in your braue bosomes the sparkes of that sprightly fire, of your couragious Ancestors; and to this houre retaine the seedes of their magnanimitie and Greatnesse, who out of the vertue of your mindes, loue and cherish neglected Poesie, the delight of Blessed soules, and the language of Angels. To you are these my Poems dedicated,_ _By your truly affectioned Seruant,_ MICHAELL DRAYTON. VPON THE BATTAILE OF AGINCOVRT, WRITTEN BY HIS DEARE FRIEND MICHAEL DRAYTON ESQVIRE. Had Henryes name beene onely met in Prose, Recorded by the humble wit of those, Who write of lesse then Kings: who victory, As calmely mention, as a Pedigree, The French, alike with vs, might view his name His actions too, and not confesse a shame: Nay, grow at length, so boldly troublesome, As, to dispute if they were ouercome. But thou hast wakte their feares: thy fiercer hand Hath made their shame as lasting, as their land. By thee againe they are compeld to knowe How much of Fate is in an English foe. They bleede afresh by thee, and thinke the harme Such; they could rather wish, t’were Henryes arme: Who thankes thy painfull quill; and holds it more To be thy Subiect now, then King before. By thee he conquers yet; when eu’ry word Yeelds him a fuller honour, then his sword. Strengthens his action against time: by thee, Hee victory, and France, doth hold in fee. So well obseru’d he is, that eu’ry thing Speakes him not onely English, but a King. And France, in this, may boast her fortunate That shee was worthy of so braue a hate. Her suffring is her gayne. How well we see The Battaile labour’d worthy him, and thee, Where, wee may Death discouer with delight, And entertaine a pleasure from a fight. Where wee may see how well it doth become The brau’ry of a Prince to ouercome. What Power is a Poet: that can add A life to Kings, more glorious, then they had. For what of Henry, is vnsung by thee, Henry doth want of his Eternity. I. VAVGHAN. TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. MICHAELL DRAYTON VPON THESE HIS POEMS. SONNET.