Act 5, Scene 5

Modern spelling. Stage directions omitted.

Listen to Act 5. LibriVox volunteers recorded “Act 5” as one track, so it runs past this scene and includes stage directions this page leaves out. LibriVox catalog.

LOUIS

The sun of heaven, methought, was loath to set,
But stay’d, and made the western welkin blush,
When the English measure backward their own ground
In faint retire. O, bravely came we off,
When with a volley of our needless shot,
After such bloody toil, we bid good night,
And wound our tott’ring colours clearly up,
Last in the field, and almost lords of it!

MESSENGER

Where is my prince, the Dauphin?

LOUIS

Here. What news?

MESSENGER

The Count Melun is slain; the English lords
By his persuasion are again fall’n off,
And your supply, which you have wish’d so long,
Are cast away and sunk on Goodwin Sands.

LOUIS

Ah, foul shrewd news! Beshrew very heart!
I did not think to be so sad tonight
As this made me. Who was he that said
King John did fly an hour or two before
The stumbling night did part our weary powers?

MESSENGER

Whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord.

LOUIS

Well, keep good quarter and good care tonight.
The day shall not be up so soon as I,
To try the fair adventure of tomorrow.

All of King John