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King John - Act 5, scene 4
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Last updated: Wed, Oct 04, 2017
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King John - Act 5, scene 4Act 5, scene 4
Scene 4
Synopsis:
While the English army continues to fight successfully under the Bastard, the rebel English nobles learn from the wounded French Count Melun that the Dauphin plans to murder them if the French are victorious. The rebels decide to return to John.
Enter Salisbury, Pembroke, and Bigot.SALISBURY
2431 I did not think the King so stored with friends.
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191
PEMBROKE 2432 Up once again. Put spirit in the French.
2433 If they miscarry, we miscarry too.
SALISBURY
2434 That misbegotten devil, Faulconbridge,
2435 5 In spite of spite, alone upholds the day.
PEMBROKE
2436 They say King John, sore sick, hath left the field.
Enter Melun, wounded, ⌜led by a Soldier.⌝
MELUN
2437 Lead me to the revolts of England here.
SALISBURY
2438 When we were happy, we had other names.
PEMBROKE
2439 It is the Count Melun.
SALISBURY 2440 10 Wounded to death.
MELUN
2441 Fly, noble English; you are bought and sold.
2442 Unthread the rude eye of rebellion
2443 And welcome home again discarded faith.
2444 Seek out King John and fall before his feet,
2445 15 For if the French be lords of this loud day,
2446 He means to recompense the pains you take
2447 By cutting off your heads. Thus hath he sworn,
2448 And I with him, and many more with me,
2449 Upon the altar at Saint Edmundsbury,
2450 20 Even on that altar where we swore to you
2451 Dear amity and everlasting love.
SALISBURY
2452 May this be possible? May this be true?
MELUN
2453 Have I not hideous death within my view,
2454 Retaining but a quantity of life,
2455 25 Which bleeds away even as a form of wax
2456 Resolveth from his figure ’gainst the fire?
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193
2457
What in the world should make me now deceive,2458 Since I must lose the use of all deceit?
2459 Why should I then be false, since it is true
2460 30 That I must die here and live hence by truth?
2461 I say again, if Louis do win the day,
2462 He is forsworn if e’er those eyes of yours
2463 Behold another daybreak in the East.
2464 But even this night, whose black contagious breath
2465 35 Already smokes about the burning crest
2466 Of the old, feeble, and day-wearied sun,
2467 Even this ill night your breathing shall expire,
2468 Paying the fine of rated treachery
2469 Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives,
2470 40 If Louis by your assistance win the day.
2471 Commend me to one Hubert with your king;
2472 The love of him, and this respect besides,
2473 For that my grandsire was an Englishman,
2474 Awakes my conscience to confess all this.
2475 45 In lieu whereof, I pray you bear me hence
2476 From forth the noise and rumor of the field,
2477 Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts
2478 In peace, and part this body and my soul
2479 With contemplation and devout desires.
SALISBURY
2480 50 We do believe thee, and beshrew my soul
2481 But I do love the favor and the form
2482 Of this most fair occasion, by the which
2483 We will untread the steps of damnèd flight,
2484 And like a bated and retirèd flood,
2485 55 Leaving our rankness and irregular course,
2486 Stoop low within those bounds we have o’erlooked
2487 And calmly run on in obedience
2488 Even to our ocean, to our great King John.
2489 My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence,
2490 60 For I do see the cruel pangs of death
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195
2491
Right in thine eye.—Away, my friends! New flight,2492 And happy newness, that intends old right.
They exit, ⌜assisting Melun.⌝