Lewis.
The sun of heav'n, methought, was loth to set,
But staid, and made the western welkin blush;
When th' English measur'd backward their own ground
In faint retire: oh, bravely came we off,
When with a volley of our needless shot,
After such bloody toil, we bid good night;

And wound our tatter'd colours clearly up,
Last in the field, and almost lords of it!— Enter a Messenger.

Mes.
Where is my prince, the Dauphin?

Lewis.
Here; what news?

Mes.
The count Melun is slain; the English lords
By his perswasion are again fall'n off;
And your supply, which you have wish'd so long,
Are cast away, and sunk on Godwin sands.

Lewis.
Ah foul, shrewd, news! Beshrew thy very heart,
I did not think to be 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?

Mes.
Who ever 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.

Previous section

Next section