"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers..."

October 25, also called St. Crispin's Day, used to be a celebrated Catholic, Church of England, and Eastern Orthodox holiday. Crispin and Crispinian were twin brothers in Rome during the 3rd century. They preached the gospel to the people during the day and made shoes by night. Under the rule of Maximian, they were martyred for their faith. The church canonized them and dedicated a day of feasting to them. In 1662, due to the doubt of the actual existence of the brothers, the feast day was taken off the church calendar and is no longer observed. However, this day is still remembered by some; why, you ask? Shakespeare wrote a speech in his play Henry V given by the king on St. Crispin's Day, just before the battle at Agincourt (King Henry V and his army defeated the vast army of the French on this day).

notable happenings on October 25:

1400- Geoffrey Chaucer died

1415- the battle at Agincourt during the Hundred Year's War

1854- the battle of Balaklava during the Crimean War (the Charge of the Light Brigade)

1881- Pablo Picasso was born

St. Crispin's Day Speech

What's he that wishes so?

My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow

To do our country loss; and if to live,

The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;

It yearns me not if men my garments wear;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires.

But if it be a sin to covet honour,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.

God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour

As one man more methinks would share from me

For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,

That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made,

And crowns for convoy put into his purse;

We would not die in that man's company

That fears his fellowship to die with us.

This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember, with advantages,

What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words-

Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now-a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.