Band of Brothers

We Band of Brothers (contemporary paraphrase)

If only we had one in the 10,000 of all those at home or are working today.

Who is this that wishes for them? My Cousin? No way!

If we are marked to die we may be a loss to our family but if to live, the fewer here with us, the greater share of honour. If its God's will I wouldn’t wish for one person more to be here with us.

I'm not covetous of gold, I do not care who feeds at my expense. It doesn't trouble me if people take what's mine as these things do not concern me. If it's a sin to covet honour then I must be the most guilty! Have faith cousin. Don't wish for one more than we are given. I wouldn't want to lose any honour that would go to be shared, I have the best of hope. In fact, proclaim that any who have no stomach for this fight must depart. Give them a passport and funds for the journey to their home. I wouldn't die in the company of those who are afraid to die with us.

Coming is the Feast day, and those who outlive this day and get safely home will stand proud when this time is named and become roused when this day is named. Those who survive this day and see old age will yearly on the vigil go to the Feast with their neighbours and say; Tomorrow is the Feast! They will roll back their sleeves, bare their hearts, show their scars, and say, "These wounds I received on the way to the Feast".

Old men forget but if all else is forgotten they'll remember, with advantage, what feats he did on this way. Then will all of our names, familiar as household words, be freshly remembered. This story will be relayed to their families and the Feast will not go by from now until the ending of the world that we will not be remembered.

We few. We happy few. We band of Brothers.

For those who shed their blood with us today shall always be our brothers. This time will gentle the harsh and strengthen the weak. Those who were laying in their beds will think themselves accursed they were not here with us.

All will fall silent before any who speak, who were of those who fought with us on this Way to the Feast.

HENRY 5th  (Paraphrase)