We few, we happy few, we band of brothers — William Shakespeare

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; / For he to-day that sheds his blood with me / Shall be my brother.

Source: Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3
Written: c. 1599

About this quotation

King Henry speaks these lines on the morning of the battle of Agincourt, when his men are heavily outnumbered and one of his lords wishes for more soldiers. Henry answers that fewer men means more honour per man. The speech is Shakespeare’s invention: the play was written around 1599, nearly two centuries after the 1415 battle.

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