[IV.18] ——on the vigil feast his friends,] i.e., the evening before the festival.
[IV.19] ——with advantages,] Old men, notwithstanding the natural forgetfulness of age, shall remember their feats of this day, and remember to tell them with advantage. Age is commonly boastful, and inclined to magnify past acts and past times. —Johnson.
[IV.20] From this day to the ending] It may be observed that we are apt to promise to ourselves a more lasting memory than the changing state of human things admits. This prediction is not verified; the feast of Crispin passes by without any mention of Agincourt. Late events obliterate the former: the civil wars have left in this nation scarcely any tradition of more ancient history. —Johnson.
[IV.21] ——gentle his condition:] This day shall advance him to the rank of a gentleman.
King Henry V. inhibited any person but such as had a right by inheritance, or grant, to assume coats of arms, except those who fought with him at the battle of Agincourt; and, I think, these last were allowed the chief seats of honour at all feasts and publick meetings. —Tollet.]
[IV.22] ——bravely in their battles set.] Bravely, for gallantly.
[IV.23] Bid them achieve me,] i.e., gain, or obtain me.
[IV.24] ——warriors for the working-day:] We are soldiers but coarsely dressed; we have not on our holiday apparel.
[IV.25] ——our guilt] i.e., golden show, superficial gilding. The word is obsolete.
[IV.26] O perdurable shame!] Perdurable is lasting.