England. The field of battle
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