Original
Modern English
So that from point to point now have you heard The fundamental reasons of this war, Whose great decision hath much blood let forth And more thirsts after.
So, now you’ve heard, point by point, The main reasons for this war, Which has already spilled a lot of blood And still thirsts for more.
Holy seems the quarrel Upon your grace’s part; black and fearful On the opposer.
The cause seems just on your part, But dark and fearful on the other side.
Therefore we marvel much our cousin France Would in so just a business shut his bosom Against our borrowing prayers.
That’s why we’re so surprised that our cousin France Would oppose such a righteous cause And close his heart to our pleas for help.
Good my lord, The reasons of our state I cannot yield, But like a common and an outward man, That the great figure of a council frames By self-unable motion: therefore dare not Say what I think of it, since I have found Myself in my incertain grounds to fail As often as I guess’d.
My lord, I cannot explain our state’s reasons, But I speak as an ordinary man, Who feels the weight of decisions Made by others, and so I can’t dare Say what I truly think, since I’ve often failed When trying to guess the right course.
Be it his pleasure.
Let it be his decision.
But I am sure the younger of our nature, That surfeit on their ease, will day by day Come here for physic.
But I’m sure the younger people, Who indulge themselves in comfort, will come here Day after day seeking treatment.
Welcome shall they be; And all the honours that can fly from us Shall on them settle. You know your places well; When better fall, for your avails they fell: To-morrow to the field.
They’ll be welcome here; And all the honors we can offer Shall go to them. You all know your roles well; When things improve, you’ll be the ones who benefit: Tomorrow, we head to the battlefield.