南山高等学校 ２年 日英バイリンガル通信 NO. 25 July 19, 1991
少ないほど大きい
諸君は世界史で「アジャンクールの戦い」について習いましたが覚えていますか。１４１５年、アジャンクールでヘンリー５世の率いる三千のイギリス軍が、二万のフランス騎士軍を破りました。フランス軍の死者は一万、イギリス軍は二百人でした。シェクスピアの「ヘンリー５世」によると、王は次のように言って兵士を鼓舞しました。
『援軍を望む者もいよう。しかし我々が戦死するなら三千で十分だ。生き残るのなら少数なほど名誉も大きい。戦う勇気のない者は立ち去るがいい。我々は共に死ぬのを恐れるような者と死にたくはない。今日は聖クリスピアンの祭日だ。今日を生きのび無事故郷に帰る者は、毎年この日に胸を張ることだろう。今日を生きのび長生きする者は、毎年友達に「明日は聖クリスピアンだ」と言って古傷を見せ、「これは聖クリスピアンの日の傷だ」と言うことだろう。老人は忘れ易いが、今日の手柄は決して忘れず、息子に語り聞かせるであろう。我々は少数だが幸せだ。クリスピアンの日が来さえすれば我々のことが思いだされるからだ。今日、朕と共に血を流す者を朕の兄弟としよう。たとえ卑しい身分でも貴紳としよう。故国で今寝ている者はここにいなかったことを残念がるだろう。』
THE FEWER, THE GREATER
You studied about the Battle of Agincourt during your world history lesson. Do you remember it? An English army of 3,000 men led by King Henry V defeated a French force of 20,000 knights at Agincourt in 1415. The French losses were 10,000, while the English losses were only 200. According to Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” this is how the king encouraged his men.
“Some of you may want to have more men from England, but if we are to die, 3,000 of us are more than enough. If we are to live, the fewer we are, the greater is our share of honor. He who has no stomach for this fight, let him depart. We will not die with those who fear to die with us.
“Today is the Feast of Crispian. He who survives today and goes home safely will be proud of himself when this day comes. He who survives today and lives to an old age will say to his friends every year, ‘Tomorrow is Crispian’s day,’ and he will show his scars and say, ‘I got these wounds on Crispian’s day.’ Old men often forget, but they will never forget what they did this day. They will tell this story to their sons. We are a happy few. Every year when Crispian’s day comes, we will be remembered.
“He who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. However vile he may be, he shall be called a gentleman. The gentlemen lying in bed in England will be sorry that they are not here.”
*********************************************
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
--Shakespeare “Henry V”
http://www.aginc.net/battle/
********************************************
少ないほど大きい
諸君は世界史で「アジャンクールの戦い」について習いましたが覚えていますか。１４１５年、アジャンクールでヘンリー５世の率いる三千のイギリス軍が、二万のフランス騎士軍を破りました。フランス軍の死者は一万、イギリス軍は二百人でした。シェクスピアの「ヘンリー５世」によると、王は次のように言って兵士を鼓舞しました。
『援軍を望む者もいよう。しかし我々が戦死するなら三千で十分だ。生き残るのなら少数なほど名誉も大きい。戦う勇気のない者は立ち去るがいい。我々は共に死ぬのを恐れるような者と死にたくはない。今日は聖クリスピアンの祭日だ。今日を生きのび無事故郷に帰る者は、毎年この日に胸を張ることだろう。今日を生きのび長生きする者は、毎年友達に「明日は聖クリスピアンだ」と言って古傷を見せ、「これは聖クリスピアンの日の傷だ」と言うことだろう。老人は忘れ易いが、今日の手柄は決して忘れず、息子に語り聞かせるであろう。我々は少数だが幸せだ。クリスピアンの日が来さえすれば我々のことが思いだされるからだ。今日、朕と共に血を流す者を朕の兄弟としよう。たとえ卑しい身分でも貴紳としよう。故国で今寝ている者はここにいなかったことを残念がるだろう。』
THE FEWER, THE GREATER
You studied about the Battle of Agincourt during your world history lesson. Do you remember it? An English army of 3,000 men led by King Henry V defeated a French force of 20,000 knights at Agincourt in 1415. The French losses were 10,000, while the English losses were only 200. According to Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” this is how the king encouraged his men.
“Some of you may want to have more men from England, but if we are to die, 3,000 of us are more than enough. If we are to live, the fewer we are, the greater is our share of honor. He who has no stomach for this fight, let him depart. We will not die with those who fear to die with us.
“Today is the Feast of Crispian. He who survives today and goes home safely will be proud of himself when this day comes. He who survives today and lives to an old age will say to his friends every year, ‘Tomorrow is Crispian’s day,’ and he will show his scars and say, ‘I got these wounds on Crispian’s day.’ Old men often forget, but they will never forget what they did this day. They will tell this story to their sons. We are a happy few. Every year when Crispian’s day comes, we will be remembered.
“He who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. However vile he may be, he shall be called a gentleman. The gentlemen lying in bed in England will be sorry that they are not here.”
*********************************************
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
--Shakespeare “Henry V”
http://www.aginc.net/battle/
********************************************
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