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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 11 treachery,
Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives,
If Lewis by your assistance win the day.] 39
Commend me to one Hubert with your king:
The love of him,-and this respect 12 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 13 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.

Sal. We do believe thee: and beshrew my soul

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But I do love the favour1 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 rankness2 and irregular course,
Stoop low within those bounds we have o'er-
look'd,3

And calmly 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;

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9 The stumbling night, i.e. the night which makes one stumble.

10 Keep good quarter, i.e. keep your quarters well guarded.

I left him almost speechless; and broke out To acquaint you with this evil, that you might

The better arm you to the sudden time,
Than if you had at leisure known of this.

Bast. How did he take it? who did taste to him?

Hub. A monk, I tell you; a resolved2 villain, Whose bowels suddenly burst out: the king Yet speaks, and peradventure may recover. 31 Bast. Who didst thou leave to tend his majesty?

Hub. Why, know you not the lords are all come back,

And brought Prince Henry in their company? At whose request the king hath pardon'd them,

And they are all about his majesty.

Bast. Withhold thine indignation, mighty heaven,

And tempt us not to bear above our power!— I'll tell thee, Hubert, half my power this night,

Passing these flats, are taken by the tide;
These Lincoln Washes have devoured them;
Myself, well mounted, hardly have escap'd.
Away, before! conduct me to the king;
I doubt he will be dead or ere I come.

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