Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: King John (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Michael Best
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-410-3

    Copyright Michael Best. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Michael Best
    Peer Reviewed

    King John (Folio 1, 1623)

    Scaena Tertia.
    Alarums. Enter Iohn and Hubert.
    2440Iohn. How goes the day with vs? oh tell me Hubert.
    Hub. Badly I feare; how fares your Maiesty?
    Iohn. This Feauer that hath troubled me so long,
    Lyes heauie on me: oh, my heart is sicke.
    Enter a Messenger.
    2445Mes. My Lord: your valiant kinsman Falconbridge,
    Desires your Maiestie to leaue the field,
    And send him word by me, which way you go.
    Iohn. Tell him toward Swinsted, to the Abbey there.
    Mes. Be of good comfort: for the great supply
    2450That was expected by the Dolphin heere,
    Are wrack'd three nights ago on Goodwin sands.
    This newes was brought to Richard but euen now,
    The French fight coldly, and retyre themselues.
    Iohn. Aye me, this tyrant Feauer burnes mee vp,
    2455And will not let me welcome this good newes.
    Set on toward Swinsted: to my Litter straight,
    Weaknesse possesseth me, and I am faint. Exeunt.