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Scene 5

The French camp.

(Lewis the Dauphin; French Messenger)

Lewis thinks he has won, but then is informed that Melune is dead, that the English lords have returned to John, and that his reinforcements will not be coming. Disheartened, Lewis nevertheless resolves to fight again the next day. (23 lines)

Enter Lewis the Dauphin and his Train.

LEW.

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,

When with a volley of our needless shot,

After such bloody toil, we bid good night,

And wound our tott’ring colors clearly up,

Last in the field, and almost lords of it!

Enter a French Messenger.

FR. MESS.

Where is my prince, the Dauphin?

LEW.

Here: what news?

FR. MESS.

The Count Melune 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.

LEW.

Ah, foul shrewd news! Beshrew thy very heart!

I did not think to be so sad tonight

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 pow’rs?

FR. MESS.

Whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord.

LEW.

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.

Exeunt.

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