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King John

ACT V SCENE V The French camp. 
 Enter LEWIS and his train. 
LEWIS The sun of heaven methought was loath to set, 
 But stay'd and made the western welkin blush, 
 When English measure backward their own ground 
 In faint retire. O, bravely came we off, 5
 When with a volley of our needless shot, 
 After such bloody toil, we bid good night; 
 And wound our tattering colours clearly up, 
 Last in the field, and almost lords of it! 
 Enter a Messenger. 
Messenger Where is my prince, the Dauphin? 10
LEWIS 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. 15
LEWIS Ah, foul shrewd news! beshrew thy very heart! 
 I did not think to be so sad to-night 
 As this hath made me. Who was he that said 
 King John did fly an hour or two before 
 The stumbling night did part our weary powers? 20
Messenger Whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord. 
LEWIS Well; keep good quarter and good care to-night: 
 The day shall not be up so soon as I, 
 To try the fair adventure of to-morrow. 
 Exeunt 

Next: King John, Act 5, Scene 6

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