In the penultimate act of Henry V, Shakespeare's titular king is preparing to lead his troops into battle. They are on the eve of war and are not confident they can route their foe. Henry secures the confidence of his men, saying "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;/ For he today that sheds his blood with me/ Shall be my brother." He goes on to mock the "gentlemen in England now a-bed" who "Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap" because they weren't part of the war.