King John
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Dolphin,and his Traine.Enter Lewis the Dauphin and his train KJ V.v.1.1
Dol. LEWIS THE DAUPHIN 
The Sun of heauen (me thought) was loth to set;The sun of heaven, methought, was loath to set,methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)

old form: me thought)
it seems / seemed to me		KJ V.v.1
But staid, and made the Westerne Welkin blush,But stayed and made the western welkin blush,welkin (n.)
sky, firmament, heavens		KJ V.v.2
When English measure backward their owne groundWhen English measured backward their own groundmeasure (v.)
pass through, travel over, traverse		KJ V.v.3
In faint Retire: Oh brauely came we off,In faint retire! O, bravely came we off,retire (n.)
retreat, withdrawal		KJ V.v.4
faint (adj.)
faint-hearted, timorous, fearful
come off (v.)
leave the field of combat, disengage
bravely (adv.)

old form: brauely
showily, with great display, with a fine flourish
When with a volley of our needlesse shot,When with a volley of our needless shot,needless (adj.)

old form: needlesse
not needed, unused, superfluous		KJ V.v.5
shot (n.)
cannon-fire, firing, salvoes
After such bloody toile, we bid good night,After such bloody toil, we bid good night, KJ V.v.6
And woon'd our tott'ring colours clearly vp,And wound our tottering colours clearly up,tottering (adj.)

old form: tott'ring
tattered, ragged, frayed		KJ V.v.7
colours (n.)
battle-flags, ensigns, standards, banners
clearly (adv.)
without interference, unobstructedly
Last in the field, and almost Lords of it.Last in the field, and almost lords of it.field (n.)
field of battle, battleground, field of combat		KJ V.v.8
Enter a Messenger.Enter a Messenger KJ V.v.9
Mes. MESSENGER 
Where is my Prince, the Dolphin?Where is my prince, the Dauphin? KJ V.v.9.1
Dol. LEWIS THE DAUPHIN 
Heere: what newes?Here. What news? KJ V.v.9.2
Mes. MESSENGER 
The Count Meloone is slaine: The English LordsThe Count Melun is slain. The English lords KJ V.v.10
By his perswasion, are againe falne off,By his persuasion are again fallen off,fall off (v.)

old form: falne
become estranged, withdraw from allegiance		KJ V.v.11
And your supply, which you haue wish'd so long,And your supply, which you have wished so long,supply (n.)
reinforcement(s), support, relief		KJ V.v.12
Are cast away, and sunke on Goodwin sands.Are cast away and sunk on Goodwin Sands.cast away (v.)
destroy, ruin		KJ V.v.13
Dol. LEWIS THE DAUPHIN 
Ah fowle, shrew'd newes. Beshrew thy very hart:Ah, foul, shrewd news! Beshrew thy very heart!shrewd (adj.)

old form: shrew'd
harsh, hard, severe		KJ V.v.14
beshrew, 'shrew (v.)
curse, devil take, evil befall
I did not thinke to be so sad to nightI did not think to be so sad tonightsad (adj.)
downcast, distressed, mournful, gloomy		KJ V.v.15
As this hath made me. Who was he that saidAs this hath made me. Who was he that said KJ V.v.16
King Iohn did flie an houre or two beforeKing John did fly an hour or two before KJ V.v.17
The stumbling night did part our wearie powres?The stumbling night did part our weary powers? KJ V.v.18
Mes. MESSENGER 
Who euer spoke it, it is true my Lord.Whoever spoke it, it is true, my lord. KJ V.v.19
Dol.LEWIS THE DAUPHIN 
Well: keepe good quarter, & good care to night,Well, keep good quarter and good care tonight!quarter (n.)
period of watch		KJ V.v.20
The day shall not be vp so soone as I,The day shall not be up so soon as I KJ V.v.21
To try the faire aduenture of to morrow. To try the fair adventure of tomorrow.adventure (n.)

old form: aduenture
venture, enterprise, issue, hazard		KJ V.v.22
ExeuntExeunt KJ V.v.22
 Previous Act V, Scene V Next  
x

Jump directly to