King John Translation Act 5, Scene 4
Enter SALISBURY, PEMBROKE, and BIGOT
SALISBURY
I did not think the king so stored with friends.
SALISBURY
I didn't think the king had so many friends.
PEMBROKE
Up once again; put spirit in the French:If they miscarry, we miscarry too.
PEMBROKE
Let's pick ourselves back up. Encourage the French. If they are defeated we are too.
SALISBURY
That misbegotten devil, Faulconbridge,In spite of spite, alone upholds the day.
SALISBURY
That illegitimate devil Faulconbridge is winning the battle despite everything.
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They say King John sore sick hath left the field.
PEMBROKE
They say King John left the battlefield very sick.
Enter MELUN, wounded
MELUN
Lead me to the revolts of England here.
MELUN
Take me to the English rebels here.
SALISBURY
When we were happy we had other names.
SALISBURY
When we were happy we were called something else.
PEMBROKE
It is the Count Melun.
PEMBROKE
It's the Count Melun.
SALISBURY
Wounded to death.
SALISBURY
Fatally wounded.
MELUN
Fly, noble English, you are bought and sold; Unthread the rude eye of rebellion And welcome home again discarded faith. Seek out King John and fall before his feet; For if the French be lords of this loud day, He means to recompense the pains you take By cutting off your heads: thus hath he sworn And I with him, and many moe with me, Upon the altar at Saint Edmundsbury; Even on that altar where we swore to you Dear amity and everlasting love.
MELUN
Run away, English nobles, you've made a bad bargain. Unthread rebellion's needle and welcome back your discarded loyalty. Find King John and fall to his feet. Because if the French prince wins this fierce battle he means to reward the work you did by cutting off your heads. He swore this, and so did I and many more people too, on the altar at Saint Edmundsbury—yes, the same altar where we swore dear friendship and eternal love to you.
SALISBURY
May this be possible? may this be true?
SALISBURY
Is this possible? Is this true?
MELUN
Have I not hideous death within my view, Retaining but a quantity of life, Which bleeds away, even as a form of wax Resolveth from his figure 'gainst the fire? What in the world should make me now deceive, Since I must lose the use of all deceit? Why should I then be false, since it is true That I must die here and live hence by truth? I say again, if Lewis do win the day, He is forsworn, if e'er those eyes of yours Behold another day break in the east: But even this night, whose black contagious breath Already smokes about the burning crest Of the old, feeble and day-wearied sun, Even this ill night, your breathing shall expire, Paying the fine of rated treachery Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives, If Lewis by your assistance win the day. Commend me to one Hubert with your king: The love of him, and this respect besides, For that my grandsire was an Englishman, Awakes my conscience to confess all this. In lieu whereof, I pray you, bear me hence From forth the noise and rumour of the field, Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts In peace, and part this body and my soul With contemplation and devout desires.
MELUN
Am I not about to die horribly? Don't I have just a small amount of life left, which bleeds away like a wax statue losing its shape in front of a fire? What in the world would make me lie now, since I have to give up all lying? Why would I be dishonest, since it's true I have to die here and from now on I have to just tell the truth? I tell you again, if Lewis wins the battle he will break his promise to you if those eyes of yours live to see another day break in the east. Or you might die tonight—the night's black unhealthy breath already smokes around the burning top of the old, weak sun worn out from day, and if you keep fighting your breathing will end. You'll pay the price of costly betrayal by being betrayed and killed if Lewis wins this battle with your help.Send my love to a certain Hubert, who's with your king. Love for him and the fact that my grandfather was an Englishman make me feel I should confess all this. So in exchange for this, I beg you, carry me away from the noise of the battlefield to somewhere I can think my last thoughts in peace, and part my soul from this body with thoughtfulness and holy wishes.
SALISBURY
We do believe thee: and beshrew my soul But I do love the favour and the form Of this most fair occasion, by the which We will untread the steps of damned flight, And like a bated and retired flood, Leaving our rankness and irregular course, Stoop low within those bounds we have o'erlook'd And cabby run on in obedience Even to our ocean, to our great King John. My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence; For I do see the cruel pangs of death Right in thine eye. Away, my friends! New flight; And happy newness, that intends old righ t.
SALISBURY
We believe you. And damn me, I love this beautiful opportunity given to us to go back on the steps of our damned betrayal. Like a flood that has ended and drawn back, we'll leave our wild and unusual course, stoop low into the restraints we've escaped from, and run on obediently to our ocean, to our great King John. My arm will help to carry you away because I see you're dying. Let's go, my friends! This is a new betrayal, but a happy newness that goes back to old right actions.
Exeunt, leading off MELUN
