King Edward III

Share
Quarto
Modern text

Definitions

Key line

Alarum. Enter a many French men flying. After them Prince Edward runing. Then enter King Iohn and Duke of Loraine.Alarum. Enter a many Frenchmen flying. After them Prince Edward running. Then enter King John and the Duke of Lorraine E3 III.iv.1
Iohn.KING JOHN 
Oh Lorrain say, what meane our men to fly,Oh, Lorraine, say, what mean our men to fly? E3 III.iv.1
Our nomber is far greater then our foes,Our number is far greater than our foe's. E3 III.iv.2
Lor.LORRAINE 
The garrison of Genoaes my Lorde,The garrison of Genoese, my lord, E3 III.iv.3
That cam from Paris weary with their march,That came from Paris, weary of their march, E3 III.iv.4
Grudging to be soddenly imployd,Grudging to be suddenly employed,suddenly (adv.)

old form: soddenly
immediately, at once, without delay
E3 III.iv.5
No sooner in the forefront tooke their place.No sooner in the forefront took their place E3 III.iv.6
But straite retyring so dismaide the rest,But, straight retiring, so dismayed the reststraight (adv.)

old form: straite
straightaway, immediately, at once
E3 III.iv.7
As likewise they betook themselues to flightAs likewise they betook themselves to flight,betake (v.)
go, take oneself off, make one's way
E3 III.iv.8
In which for hast to make a safe escape,In which, for haste to make a safe escape, E3 III.iv.9
More in the clustering throng are prest to death,More in the clustering throng are pressed to death E3 III.iv.10
Then by the ennimie a thousand fold.Than by the enemy a thousandfold. E3 III.iv.11
K. Io.KING JOHN 
O haplesse fortune, let vs yet assay,O hapless fortune! Let us yet assayhapless (adj.)

old form: haplesse
luckless, unfortunate, unlucky
E3 III.iv.12
assay (v.)
attempt, try, venture
If we can counsell some of them to stay.If we can counsel some of them to stay.counsel (v.)

old form: counsell
advise, urge
E3 III.iv.13
Exeunt E3 III.iv.13
Enter King Edward and Audley.Enter King Edward and Audley E3 III.iv.14
Ki, E.KING EDWARD 
Lord Audley, whiles our sonne is in the chase,Lord Audley, whiles our son is in the chase, E3 III.iv.14
With draw our powers vnto this little hill,Withdraw our powers unto this little hill, E3 III.iv.15
And heere a season let vs breath our selues,And here a season let us breathe ourselves.season (n.)
while, short period of time
E3 III.iv.16
breathe (v.)

old form: breath
catch breath, pause, rest
Au.AUDLEY 
I will my Lord. I will, my lord.  E3 III.iv.17
Exit, Exit E3 III.iv.17
sound Retreat.Sound retreat E3 III.iv.18.1
K. Ed.KING EDWARD 
Iust dooming heauen, whose secret prouidence,Just-dooming heaven, whose secret providencejust-dooming (adj.)

old form: Iust dooming
rightly-judging, justly-ordaining
E3 III.iv.18
To our grosse iudgement is inscrutable,To our gross judgement is inscrutable,gross (adj.)

old form: grosse
dull, obtuse, ignorant
E3 III.iv.19
How are we bound to praise thy wondrous works,How are we bound to praise thy wondrous works, E3 III.iv.20
That hast this day giuen way vnto the right,That hast this day given way unto the right, E3 III.iv.21
And made the wicked stumble at them selues.And made the wicked stumble at themselves. E3 III.iv.22
Enter Artoys.Enter Artois E3 III.iv.23
ARTOIS 
Rescue king Edward, rescue, for thy sonne,Rescue, King Edward, rescue for thy son! E3 III.iv.23
Kin.KING EDWARD 
Rescue Artoys, what is he prisoner?Rescue, Artois? What, is he prisoner, E3 III.iv.24
Or by violence fell beside his horse.Or by violence fell beside his horse? E3 III.iv.25
Ar.ARTOIS 
Neither my Lord, but narrowly beset,Neither, my lord; but narrowly beset E3 III.iv.26
With turning Frenchmen, whom he did persue,With turning Frenchmen, whom he did pursue,turning (adj.)
facing the other way, retreating
E3 III.iv.27
As tis impossible that he should scape.As 'tis impossible that he should scape,scape, 'scape (v.)
escape, avoid
E3 III.iv.28
Except your highnes presently descend.Except your highness presently descend.presently (adv.)
immediately, instantly, at once
E3 III.iv.29
Kin.KING EDWARD 
Tut let him fight, we gaue him armes to day,Tut, let him fight; we gave him arms today, E3 III.iv.30
And he is laboring for a knighthood man.And he is labouring for a knighthood, man. E3 III.iv.31
Enter Derby.Enter Derby E3 III.iv.32.1
Da.DERBY 
The Prince my Lord, the Prince, oh succour him,The Prince, my Lord, the Prince! Oh, succour him!succour (v.)
help, assist, aid
E3 III.iv.32
Hees close incompast with a world of odds.He's close encompassed with a world of odds!odds (n. plural)
inequalities, unfavourable circumstances
E3 III.iv.33
close (adv.)
closely, in a hemmed-in way
Ki.KING EDWARD 
Then will he win a world of honor to,Then will he win a world of honour too, E3 III.iv.34
If he by vallour can redeeme him thence,If he by valour can redeem him thence.redeem (v.)

old form: redeeme
free, liberate, extricate
E3 III.iv.35
If not, what remedy, we haue more sonnes,If not, what remedy? We have more sons E3 III.iv.36
Then one to comfort our declyning age.Than one, to comfort our declining age. E3 III.iv.37
Enter Audley.Enter Audley E3 III.iv.38
Au, Renowned Edward, giue me leaue I pray,Renowned Edward, give me leave, I pray, E3 III.iv.38
To lead my souldiers where I may releeue,To lead my soldiers where I may relieve E3 III.iv.39
Your Graces sonne, in danger to be slayne,Your grace's son, in danger to be slain. E3 III.iv.40
The snares of French, like Emmets on a banke,The snares of French, like emmets on a bank,emmet (n.)
ant
E3 III.iv.41
bank (n.)

old form: banke
ant-hill
Muster about him whilest he Lion like,Muster about him; whilst he, lion-like, E3 III.iv.42
Intangled in the net of their assaults,Entangled in the net of their assaults, E3 III.iv.43
Frantiquely wrends and byts the wouen toyle,Franticly rends and bites the woven toil;toil (n.)

old form: toyle
net, snare, trap
E3 III.iv.44
But all in vaine, he cannot free him selfe.But all in vain, he cannot free himself. E3 III.iv.45
K: Ed.KING EDWARD 
Audley content, I will not haue a man,Audley, content. I will not have a man,content (adj.)
satisfied, calm, easy in mind
E3 III.iv.46
On paine of death sent forth to succour him:On pain of death, sent forth to succour him. E3 III.iv.47
This is the day, ordaynd by desteny,This is the day, ordained by destiny, E3 III.iv.48
To season his courage with those greeuous thoughts,To season his courage with those grievous thoughtsthought (n.)
intention, purpose, design
E3 III.iv.49
season (v.)
fortify, temper, strengthen
grievous (adj.)

old form: greeuous
heavy, grave, serious
That if he breaketh out, Nestors yeares on earth,That, if he break out, Nestor's years on earthNestor (n.)
Greek leader in the siege of Troy, reputed for his age and wisdom
E3 III.iv.50
Will make him sauor still of this exployt.Will make him savour still of this exploit.still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually
E3 III.iv.51
savour (v.)

old form: sauor
relish, enjoy, delight [in]
Dar.DERBY 
Ah but he shall not liue to see those dayes,Ah, but he shall not live to see those days. E3 III.iv.52
Ki.KING EDWARD 
Why then his Ephitaph, is lasting prayse.Why, then his epitaph is lasting praise. E3 III.iv.53
An.AUDLEY 
Yet good my Lord, tis too much wilfulnes,Yet, good my lord, 'tis too much wilfulness E3 III.iv.54
To let his blood be spilt that may be saude,To let his blood be spilt, that may be saved. E3 III.iv.55
Kin.KING EDWARD 
Exclayme no more, for none of you can tell,Exclaim no more; for none of you can tell E3 III.iv.56
Whether a borrowed aid will serue or no,Whether a borrowed aid will serve or no; E3 III.iv.57
Perhapps he is already slayne or tane:Perhaps he is already slain or ta'en; E3 III.iv.58
And dare a Falcon when shees in her flight,And dare a falcon when she's in her flight,dare (v.)
disturb, distract
E3 III.iv.59
And euer after sheele be huggard like:And ever after she'll be haggard-like.haggard-like (adj.)

old form: huggard like
wild, unmanageable, untrainable
E3 III.iv.60
Let Edward be deliuered by our hands,Let Edward be delivered by our hands, E3 III.iv.61
And still in danger hele expect the like,And still in danger he'll expect the like;still (adv.)
ever, now [as before]
E3 III.iv.62
like, the
the same
But if himselfe, himselfe redeeme from thence,But if himself, himself redeem from thence,redeem (v.)

old form: redeeme
free, liberate, extricate
E3 III.iv.63
He wil haue vanquisht cheerefull death and feare,He will have vanquished, cheerful, death and fear, E3 III.iv.64
And euer after dread their force no more,And ever after dread their force no more E3 III.iv.65
Then if they were but babes or Captiue slaues.Than if they were but babes or captive slaves. E3 III.iv.66
Aud.AUDLEY 
O cruell Father, farewell Edward then.O cruel father! Farewell Edward, then. E3 III.iv.67
Da.DERBY 
Farewell sweete Prince, the hope of chiualry,Farewell, sweet Prince, the hope of chivalry. E3 III.iv.68
Art.ARTOIS 
O would my life might ransome him from death.Oh, would my life might ransom him from death! E3 III.iv.69
Retreat sounded E3 III.iv.70.1
K. Ed.KING EDWARD 
But soft me thinkes I heare,But soft, methinks I hearmethinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: me thinkes
it seems / seemed to me
E3 III.iv.70
soft (int.)
[used as a command] not so fast, wait a moment, be quiet
The dismall charge of Trumpets loud retreat:The dismal charge of trumpets' loud retreat.charge (n.)
command, order, injunction, instruction
E3 III.iv.71
All are not slayne I hope that went with him,All are not slain, I hope, that went with him; E3 III.iv.72
Some will returne with tidings good or bad.Some will return with tidings, good or bad. E3 III.iv.73
Enter Prince Edward in tryumph, bearing in his hande his shiuered Launce, and the King of Boheme, borne before, wrapt in the Coullours: They runne and imbrace him.Enter Prince Edward in triumph, bearing in his hand his shivered lance, and the body of the King of Bohemia borne before, wrapped in the colours. They run and embrace himshivered (adj.)

old form: shiuered
shattered, broken, splintered
E3 III.iv.74
colours (n.)

old form: Coullours
battle-flags, ensigns, standards, banners
Aud.AUDLEY 
O ioyfull sight, victorious Edward liues.O joyful sight! Victorious Edward lives! E3 III.iv.74
Der.DERBY 
Welcome braue Prince.Welcome, brave Prince!brave (adj.)

old form: braue
noble, worthy, excellent
E3 III.iv.75.1
Ki.KING EDWARD 
Welcome Plantagenet. Welcome, Plantagenet! E3 III.iv.75.2
kneele and kisse his fathers handThe Prince kneels and kisses his father's hand E3 III.iv.76.1
Pr.PRINCE  
First hauing donne my duety as beseemed First having done my duty as beseemed,beseem (v.)
befit, be fitting [for], be seemly [for]
E3 III.iv.76
Lords I regreet you all with harty thanks, Lords, I regreet you all with hearty thanks.regreet (v.)
greet again, salute upon returning
E3 III.iv.77
And now behold after my winters toyle,And now, behold, after my winter's toil, E3 III.iv.78
My paynefull voyage on the boystrous sea,My painful voyage on the boist'rous seaboisterous (adj.)

old form: boystrous
tumultuous, violent, tempestuous
E3 III.iv.79
Of warres deuouring gulphes and steely rocks,Of war's devouring gulfs and steely rocks,steely (adj.)
hard as steel
E3 III.iv.80
I bring my fraught vnto the wished port,I bring my fraught unto the wished port,wished (adj.)
longed-for, desired
E3 III.iv.81
fraught (n.)
freight, cargo, goods
My Summers hope, my trauels sweet reward:My summer's hope, my travel's sweet reward, E3 III.iv.82
And heere with humble duety I present,And here with humble duty I present E3 III.iv.83
This sacrifice, this first fruit of my sword,This sacrifice, this first fruit of my sword, E3 III.iv.84
Cropt and cut downe euen at the gate of death:Cropped and cut down even at the gate of death: E3 III.iv.85
The king of Boheme father whome Islue,The king of Boheme, father, whom I slew,Boheme (n.)
[pron: 'bohheem] alternative name for Bohemia
E3 III.iv.86
Whom you sayd, had intrencht me round about,Whose thousands had entrenched me round about,entrench, intrench (v.)

old form: intrencht
put within a trench
E3 III.iv.87
And laye as thicke vpon my battered crest,And lay as thick upon my battered crestlay on / upon (v.)

old form: laye vpon
inflict blows, beat soundly
E3 III.iv.88
crest (n.)
[originally the plume of feathers on a] helmet, head-piece
As on an Anuell with their ponderous glaues,As on an anvil with their ponderous glaives.glaive (n.)

old form: glaues
long-handled blade, spear
E3 III.iv.89
Yet marble courage, still did vnderprop,Yet marble courage still did underprop,marble (adj.)
enduring, solid [as marble]
E3 III.iv.90
still (adv.)
constantly, always, continually
underprop (v.)

old form: vnderprop
prop up, support, uphold
And when my weary armes with often blowes,And when my weary arms, with often blows,often (adj.)
frequent, numerous, continuous
E3 III.iv.91
Like the continuall laboring Wood-mans Axe,Like the continual labouring woodman's axe E3 III.iv.92
That is enioynd to fell a load of Oakes,That is enjoined to fell a load of oaks, E3 III.iv.93
Began to faulter, straight I would recouer:Began to falter, straight I would recoverstraight (adv.)
straightaway, immediately, at once
E3 III.iv.94
recover (v.)

old form: recouer
recall, recollect, bring to mind
My gifts you gaue me, and my zealous vow,My gifts you gave me, and my zealous vow,zealous (adj.)
earnest, fervent, ardent
E3 III.iv.95
And then new courage made me fresh againe,And then new courage made me fresh again, E3 III.iv.96
That in despight I craud my passage forth,That, in despite, I carved my passage forth,despite (n.)

old form: despight
contempt, scorn, disdain
E3 III.iv.97
And put the multitude to speedy flyght: And put the multitude to speedy flight. E3 III.iv.98
Lo this hath Edwards hand fild your request,Lo, thus hath Edward's hand filled your request, E3 III.iv.99
And done I hope the duety of a KnightAnd done, I hope, the duty of a knight. E3 III.iv.100
Ki.KING EDWARD 
I well thou hast deserud a knight-hood Ned,Ay, well thou hast deserved a knighthood, Ned; E3 III.iv.101
And therefore with thy sword, yet reaking warme,And therefore with thy sword, yet reeking warmreeking (adj.)

old form: reaking
smeared with blood, freshly bloodstained
E3 III.iv.102
his Sword borne by a Soldier.His sword borne by a soldier E3 III.iv.103.1
With blood of those that fought to be thy bane,With blood of those that fought to be thy bane,bane (n.)
murderer, killer, destroyer
E3 III.iv.103
Arise Prince Edward, trusty knight at armes,Arise, Prince Edward, trusty knight at arms. E3 III.iv.104
This day thou hast confounded me with ioy,This day thou hast confounded me with joy,confound (v.)
amaze, dumbfound, stun
E3 III.iv.105
And proude thy selfe fit heire vnto a king:And proved thyself fit heir unto a king. E3 III.iv.106
Pr.PRINCE 
Heere is a note my gratious Lord of those,Here is a note, my gracious lord, of those E3 III.iv.107
That in this conflict of our foes were slaine,That in this conflict of our foes were slain: E3 III.iv.108
Eleuen Princes of esteeme, Foure score Barons,Eleven princes of esteem, fourscore barons, E3 III.iv.109
A hundred and twenty knights, and thirty thousandA hundred-and-twenty knights, and thirty thousand E3 III.iv.110
Common souldiers, and of our men a thousand.Common soldiers; and of our men, a thousand. E3 III.iv.111
KING EDWARD 
Our God be praised, Now Iohn of Fraunce I hope,Our God be praised! Now, John of France, I hope E3 III.iv.112
Thou knowest King Edward for no wantonesse,Thou know'st King Edward for no wantonness,wantonness (n.)

old form: wantonesse
libertine, seducer, womanizer
E3 III.iv.113
No loue sicke cockney, nor his souldiers iades,No lovesick cockney, nor his soldiers jades.jade (n.)

old form: iades
worn-out horse, hack, worthless nag
E3 III.iv.114
cockney (n.)
milksop, sissy, softy
But which way is the fearefull king escapt?But which way is the fearful king escaped? E3 III.iv.115
Pr.PRINCE 
Towards Poyctiers noble father, and his sonnes,Towards Poitiers, noble father, and his sons. E3 III.iv.116
King.KING EDWARD 
Ned, thou and Audley shall pursue them still,Ned, thou and Audley shall pursue them still;still (adv.)
ever, now [as before]
E3 III.iv.117
Myselfe and Derby will to Calice streight;Myself and Derby will to Calais straight,straight (adv.)

old form: streight
straightaway, immediately, at once
E3 III.iv.118
And there begyrt that Hauen towne with seege:And there begirt that haven town with siege.begird (v.), past form begirt

old form: begyrt
surround, encircle, besiege
E3 III.iv.119
Now lies it on an vpshot, therefore strike, Now lies it on an upshot; therefore strike,lie (v.)
hang, depend, hinge
E3 III.iv.120
upshot (n.)

old form: vpshot
remaining stroke, final shot [as in archery, determining the result]
And wistlie follow whiles the games on foote.And wistly follow whiles the game's on foot. – wistly (adv.)

old form: wistlie
intently, attentively, earnestly
E3 III.iv.121
foot, on

old form: foote
[hunting] roused, up for pursuit
Ki. What Pictures this.What picture's this? E3 III.iv.122.1
Pr.PRINCE 
A Pellican my Lord,A pelican, my lord, E3 III.iv.122.2
Wounding her bosome with her crooked beak,Wounding her bosom with her crooked beak, E3 III.iv.123
That so her nest of young ones might be fed,That so her nest of young ones might be fed E3 III.iv.124
With drops of blood that issue from her hart,With drops of blood that issue from her heart: E3 III.iv.125
The motto Sic & vos, and so should you, The motto Sic et vos: ‘ and so should you.’sic et vos
and so should you
E3 III.iv.126
Exeunt.Exeunt E3 III.iv.126
 Previous Act III, Scene IV Next  
x

Jump directly to