When I came to my own house, for which I was forced to inquire, one of the servants opening the door, I bent down to go in (like a goose under a gate), for fear of striking my head.  My wife ran out to embrace me, but I stooped lower than her knees, thinking she could otherwise never be able to reach my mouth.  My daughter kneeled to ask my blessing, but I could not see her till she arose, having been so long used to stand with my head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went to take her up with one hand by the waist.  I looked down upon the servants, and one or two friends who were in the house, as if they had been pigmies, and I a giant.  I told my wife, “she had been too thrifty, for I found she had starved herself and her daughter to nothing.”  In short, I behaved myself so unaccountably that they were all of the captain’s opinion when he first saw me, and concluded I had lost my wits.  This I mention as an instance of the great power of habit and prejudice.

In a little time, I and my family and friends came to a right understanding; but my wife protested I should never go to sea any more; although my evil destiny so ordered, that she had not power to hinder me.

THE BALLAD OF AGINCOURT

By MICHAEL DRAYTON[1]

[Footnote 1:  Michael Drayton was an English poet who lived from 1563 to 1631.  Little is known of his life beyond the fact that he served as a page in the household of some nobleman, and that he tried in vain to gain the patronage of King James I. This Ballad of Agincourt is one of the finest of the English martial ballads.]

  Fair stood the wind for France,[2]
  When we our sails advance,
  Nor now to prove our chance
    Longer will tarry;
  But putting to the main,
  At Kaux, the mouth of Seine,
  With all his martial train,
    Landed King Harry.[3]

[Footnote 2:  From 1337 to 1453 the French and the English were engaged in a series of struggles to which the name of The Hundred Years’ War has been given.  The cause of the conflict was the attempt of the English kings to establish their rule over France.]

[Footnote 3:  This was Henry V, king of England from 1413 to 1422.  He was a general of great ability, and the battle described in this ballad was one of his chief victories.]

  And taking many a fort,
  Furnished in warlike sort,
  Marched towards Agincourt[4]
    In happy hour,—­
  Skirmishing day by day.

[Footnote 4:  The English army numbered but 14,000, while the French were about 50,000 strong.  Henry, to save his men, was willing to make terms with the French, who, however, demanded unconditional surrender.  The two armies met for battle near the little village of Agincourt.]

  With those that stopped his way,
  Where the French general lay
    With all his power,

  Which in his height of pride,
  King Henry to deride,
  His ransom to provide
    To the king sending;
  Which he neglects the while,
  As from a nation vile,
  Yet, with an angry smile,
    Their fall portending.