King John: Act 5, Scene 3

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    The field of battle.

    Scene Summary

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    John has fallen seriously ill on the field of battle and retreats to Swinstead Abbey. The English are struggling. Hubert arrives and John is feverish and dying.

    Alarums. Enter KING JOHN and HUBERT
    KING JOHN
    How goes the day with us? O, tell me, Hubert.
    HUBERT
    Badly, I fear. How fares your majesty?
    KING JOHN
    This fever, that hath troubled me so long,
    Lies heavy on me; O, my heart is sick!
    Enter a Messenger
    Messenger
    My lord, your valiant kinsman, Faulconbridge,
    Desires your majesty to leave the field
    And send him word by me which way you go.
    KING JOHN
    Tell him, toward Swinstead, to the abbey there.
    Messenger
    Be of good comfort; for the great supply
    That was expected by the Dauphin here,
    Are wreck'd three nights ago on Goodwin Sands.
    This news was brought to Richard but even now:
    The French fight coldly, and retire themselves.
    KING JOHN
    Ay me! this tyrant fever burns me up,
    And will not let me welcome this good news.
    Set on toward Swinstead: to my litter straight;
    Weakness possesseth me, and I am faint.
    Exeunt