Lines 1–49: The Chatillon of France claims the English throne and lands on behalf of Arthur, King John’s nephew, threatening war with France if John refuses. King John, however, is defiant and says that he will be in France with his army before him if Chatillon doesn’t hurry. Once Chatillon has left, Queen Elinor reflects that she foresaw that “ambitious Constance” wouldn’t stop until she’d provoked French support for Arthur and that the situation could have been prevented if they’d handled her with more tact; it will now involve two kingdoms and a war to sort things out. John protests his “strong possession” and “right” to the crown but his mother points out that his “strong possession” is greater than his “right” in this matter, but she will only admit this privately to him. A Sheriff arrives with news of “the strangest controversy” from the country. John gives permission for the plaintiffs to approach. Returning briefly to the subject of the forthcoming war with France he says he’ll make “Our abbeys and our priories” pay for it.
Lines 50–163: Two brothers arrive, Robert Falconbridge, son and heir to the late Robert Falconbridge, and his older brother, Philip. Robert claims that his father made him his heir on his deathbed, although he’s the younger brother, because he believed that his older brother was illegitimate, conceived while he was in Germany on business for King Richard. Elinor and John both think that Philip must be Richard’s son (“He hath a trick of Coeur-de-lion’s face”) but John points out that in law, since his mother was married, he is the legal heir to the Falconbridge lands. Elinor asks him if he would rather be son and heir of Falconbridge or acknowledged as King Richard’s bastard son with no land. He answers that if he and his brother’s places were changed, he’d give away all his land rather than have his brother’s face and figure. Elinor likes his bluntness and offers him the chance to leave the Falconbridge estate to his brother, be acknowledged as Richard’s bastard son, and follow her to war. He decides at once to follow her “unto the death.” John then knights him—he is to be known henceforth as Sir Richard Plantagenet.
Lines 164–278: The brothers say farewell and John and Elinor leave to prepare for war with France. Alone on stage, Richard reflects on his new fortune and status, satirizing the pretensions of the newly risen in the way they treat social inferiors and give themselves airs. He argues that it’s the way society works and “fits the mounting spirit like myself” but concludes that he must learn to recognize, although he will not practice, flattery: the “Sweet, sweet, sweet poison for the age’s tooth.” His mother arrives with a servant, seeking his brother. He dismisses the servant and then confronts his mother, demanding to know his real father’s identity. She is shocked at first at the slur on her reputation but finally confesses that “King Richard Coeur-de-lion was thy father,” claiming that she was seduced and unable to resist, and asking his pardon. The Bastard is delighted, however, and says he couldn’t “wish a better father” and that she should have no regrets since he has none, and takes her to meet his “kin,” who will agree it would have been a sin to refuse King Richard’s sexual advances and not have borne him.
Lines 1–83: The French are outside the town of Angiers. King Philip introduces Arthur to the Duke of Austria, who killed his uncle, King Richard, but to make amends has allied himself to the French in support of Arthur’s claim to the English crown against John. Arthur welcomes him and Constance offers “his mother’s thanks, a widow’s thanks” until with his help she is able to offer him a worthy reward. King Philip says they should mount an attack on the town, which refuses to recognize Arthur’s claim. Constance advises waiting until Chatillon returns from England to hear John’s response. Chatillon appears almost immediately and tells them not to concern themselves with fighting a small town but to expect a greater enemy since John has come with his mother, his niece, bastard nephew and the English army. Philip is surprised but Austria says they must rise to the occasion and prepare to “welcome” them.
Lines 84–150: The English arrive and John greets the French king, saying they can have peace if Philip recognizes his claim to the English throne. Philip says they can have peace if John acknowledges Arthur’s claim to it. He asks him to look at Arthur’s face, which is like his father Geoffrey’s and, since he was John’s older brother, this means that he, not John, is the rightful king of England. John asks by whose authority he undertakes this and Philip replies, by God’s (the “supernal judge”) who has made him Arthur’s guardian. John responds that he usurps his authority but Philip replies that preventing usurping is a good enough excuse. Elinor demands to know who he is accusing of usurping and Constance replies Elinor’s usurping son, John. Elinor accuses Constance of wanting to make her bastard king so that she can rule. Constance replies that she was never unfaithful to Geoffrey and that her son’s less likely to be a bastard than Elinor’s. The two women continue to insult each other. Austria calls for peace. The Bastard (Richard) demands to know who speaks and threatens to take the lion-skin, which belonged to King Richard Coeur-de-lion, from his back.
Lines 151–205: Lewis demands that the “women and fools” keep quiet. He claims “England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine” for Arthur and asks John to resign his claim and lay down his arms. John refuses but adds that if Arthur yields to him, he’ll give him more than France can win by fighting. Elinor tells Arthur to come to her. Constance mocks her offer saying, in exchange for the kingdom, his “grandam” will give Arthur “a plum, a cherry and a fig.” Arthur tells his mother to be quiet: he wishes he were dead, he’s not worth all this “coil” (fuss). Elinor blames Constance for making Arthur weep and Constance blames Elinor and they resume their slanging match. King John and then King Philip call for peace. Philip suggests that they should ask the men of Angiers which of the two claimants they support—“Whose title they admit, Arthur’s or John’s.” A trumpet is sounded.
Lines 206–306: A Citizen enters upon the walls and demands to know who has summoned them. The two kings each state their case and demand that the men of Angiers should judge between the rival claimants. John says that the French were about to lay siege to the town to destroy it until the English arrived but are now prepared to talk. Philip advances the legitimacy of Arthur’s claim to the English crown and says that if the men of Angiers will recognize this, they will leave them in peace. The Citizen claims that the people of Angiers are loyal to the English king. They ask him to say who that is but he is unable to. They must decide between themselves who the rightful king is and Angiers will then be loyal to him. The kings decide they’ll have to fight and set their armies in the field. The two armies start fighting.
Lines 307–423: They cease and the French Herald demands that Angiers open the gates to receive Arthur. On the other side the English Herald claims victory for John. The Citizen claims that they have been watching all this while and judge the armies equally matched, that neither has achieved victory; they are not prepared to recognize either—“We hold our town for neither, yet for both.” The two kings meet, both still determined to fight on. The Bastard is keen to return to battle till one side has vanquished the other. The kings again appeal to the citizens of Angiers to recognize their right and are again refused. The Bastard then suggests that the two armies join together and turn their power against Angiers for defying them both.
Lines 424–544: The kings agree and are deciding on their positions when the Citizen’s spokesperson suggests they can be reconciled peacefully by the marriage of John’s niece, “the lady Blanche,” and the King of France’s son, “Lewis the dauphin.” The Bastard is disgusted by the Citizen’s long speech in favor of the match. Elinor, however, advises John to accept and to offer a large dowry with Blanche, which will make the French king his ally rather than his enemy. John says that if the dauphin can love Blanche and agree to the match, he will give France all the English lands in France, apart from Angiers, including Anjou, Touraine, Maine and Poitiers. The dauphin looks at Blanche and seeing his own reflection “Drawn in the flattering table of her eye,” declares his love. The Bastard is again disgusted by the turn of events but Blanche says that she is willing to do as her uncle asks: all she sees of the dauphin is “worthy love” and she can see nothing that would “merit any hate.” The young couple agree to marry and John will give her five provinces plus thirty thousand marks as her dowry.
Lines 545–570: The French king asks Angiers to open their gates so that they can all enter and Blanche and Lewis can be married. He asks where Constance is, knowing she’ll be angry. Lewis says she is “sad and passionate” in the king’s tent. Philip asks John if there is some way in which she may be compensated. John says he’ll make Arthur Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond and give him Angiers. He hopes that Constance will be at least partially satisfied and stop complaining. All except the Bastard leave to prepare for the wedding.
Lines 571–608: Alone on stage the Bastard reflects on events: “Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!” In order to stop Arthur’s claim to the English crown, John has willingly parted with a large part of his kingdom while the French king, who claimed to be supporting Arthur’s legitimate right and posed as “God’s own soldier,” has listened to the devil in his ear and withdrawn from “a resolved and honourable war / To a most base and vile-concluded peace.” He blames all this on “That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling commodity” (profit or self-interest) and rails against its influence in a world in which everyone seems to be out for themselves. He goes on ironically to recognize that the reason he can rail against “commodity” is that he hasn’t yet been touched by it personally, being poor he will say there’s “no sin but to be rich” but once he’s rich he will then say that “there is no vice but beggary.” Since kings “break faith” for their own advantage, he will worship “Gain” from now on.
Constance refuses to believe the Earl of Salisbury’s report that Blanche and Lewis are to be married. He assures her that is the case. She’s angry and blames him, recognizing that because of this match France will no longer support Arthur’s claim. Arthur begs her to “be content” but Constance claims that she might be content if he were ugly or deformed in some way, since then she would not love him, but that he is “fair” and that at his birth “Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great.” She blames the “strumpet [whore] Fortune” and claims that France (i.e. the French king) is a “bawd [prostitute] to Fortune and King John.” She asks Salisbury whether Philip is not “forsworn” (guilty of breaking his oath) and tells him to curse the king or go. He says he cannot go without her to attend the wedding but she refuses and Salisbury departs with Arthur, leaving Constance alone with her grief.
Lines 1–61: Blanche and Lewis are married and King Philip declares there will be a holiday in France every year to celebrate “this blessèd day.” Constance, however, condemns it as a “wicked day, and not a holy day!” and refusing to be reconciled, calls on the heavens to set “these perjured kings” at odds once more. When Austria calls for peace, Constance immediately retorts, demanding “War, war, no peace!” and declares Austria likewise perjured and, rather than wear a lion’s skin, he should take it off for shame and “hang a calf’s-skin on those recreant limbs.” Austria is furious and says if a man said that to him he’d fight him. The Bastard immediately repeats the words as a challenge and the situation threatens to get out of hand when Cardinal Pandulph, the papal legate, enters.
Lines 62–118: The Cardinal demands to know from John why he refuses to accept Stephen Langton, chosen by Pope Innocent III, as Archbishop of Canterbury. John responds that “no Italian priest” has authority to tell “a sacred king” what to do and argues that he is “supreme head.” Philip tells him he “blaspheme[s] in this.” John is defiant, arguing that he alone is not led by this “meddling priest,” fearful of the Catholic church’s power of excommunication and wealth obtained by the corrupt practice of selling pardons. The Cardinal announces that in that case John will be cursed and excommunicated and whoever kills him will be canonized and worshipped as a saint. Constance begs for the right to add her curses to Rome’s. The papal legate argues that he has “law and warrant” for his curse but Constance argues that she does too, “since law itself is perfect wrong.” John has stolen Arthur’s rightful kingdom and “he that holds his kingdom holds the law.”
Lines 119–183: Pandulph then orders Philip, on peril of being excommunicated himself to make war on John, “that arch-heretic,” unless he “do submit himself to Rome.” Both sides try to sway Philip to support them. Elinor and Constance argue again, as do the Bastard and Austria. Lewis thinks the Pope’s curse is heavier than the loss of England’s friendship, and his father should “forgo the easier.” Blanche suggests that’s the Pope’s curse but Constance tells Lewis he’s being tempted by “the devil.” Philip is “perplexed,” unsure what to do and asks the Cardinal to put himself in his place—his son and Blanche are just married and peace agreed between their two lands, which have previously been at war. He cannot go back on his word and change his mind. He begs Pandulph to find some peaceful solution.
Lines 184–280: The Cardinal is resolute—Philip cannot remain friends with John. Philip responds that he may let go of John’s hand but not his “faith”—his oath of friendship. Pandulph replies that he would then make “faith an enemy to faith” since his duty is to heaven to whom he swore his first vow. He must make war on John. Austria calls it “flat rebellion” and the Bastard taunts him once more. Lewis calls his father “to arms.” Blanche is shocked that her husband wants to fight on his wedding day against her own family and begs him not to. Constance urges him on to battle, however. Philip is still undecided until the Cardinal again threatens excommunication at which he reluctantly agrees to fight John. Constance is delighted, Elinor furious, and John threatening; only the Bastard is happy. Blanche is distressed, with her loyalties divided. John tells the Bastard to bring up the army: they are at war with France again.
Lines 1–30: After more fighting, the Bastard enters with Austria’s head. John then enters with Arthur, telling Hubert to look after him. He fears that Elinor is captured but the Bastard reassures him that he rescued her himself. There is more fighting. John tells Elinor to stay and she’ll be strongly guarded and tells Arthur to cheer up since his grandmother loves him and he’ll love him like a father. Arthur replies that his mother will “die with grief.” John sends the Bastard back to England to extract money from the Church to pay for the wars. Elinor calls Arthur over to her.
Lines 31–92: John takes Hubert to one side and tells him how grateful he is to him and how much he respects him. Hubert says he is much obliged. John then starts a series of evasive, round about hints to Hubert, who, guessing his purpose, says he’ll do it: Arthur “shall not live.” John is happy. Arthur is to go to England with Hubert while John goes to Calais.
Lines 1–108: King Philip and Lewis are bemoaning the French defeat while the cardinal attempts to cheer them. Constance enters, blaming Philip and his peace treaty for their defeat. She is distraught, desiring only death: “Death, death, O amiable, lovely death … come to me!” Pandulph tells her that what she speaks is “madness” not “sorrow” but she denies it. Philip asks her to tie up her hair. She begs him to make for England. He again asks her to tie up her hair. She agrees, saying that she untied it in her grief, wishing she could have released Arthur as easily, but she will tie it up again since her son is a bound prisoner. She imagines Arthur pale and ill and says she will not recognize him when they meet again in heaven. The Cardinal is impatient and Philip accuses her of being “as fond of grief as of your child.” Constance, however, replies that “Grief fills the room up of my absent child”: she sees him everywhere. She lets down her hair again since “there is such disorder in my wit” and leaves, still lamenting bitterly. Philip goes after her, fearing she may kill herself.
Lines 109–185: Lewis expresses his discontent to the Cardinal, who replies that in the long run, this will be to his advantage. Lewis does not understand how this can be the case and the Cardinal explains that while Arthur lives, John can have no peace. He will, therefore, have him murdered, at which point Lewis may claim the English throne for himself through his wife, Blanche (her mother was John’s older sister, Eleanor). Lewis is unconvinced, believing that he will lose everything, but the Cardinal explains how public opinion will turn against John for Arthur’s death: he will be blamed for everything, including the weather. Lewis suggests that perhaps John will let Arthur live but Pandulph assures him that as soon as he learns of the dauphin’s approach he will have him killed and then his people will be revolted and desire change. Furthermore “the Bastard Falconbridge” is busy “ransacking the Church / Offending charity” so that even a dozen Frenchmen would gather the support of the English; that support would then snowball. He tells Lewis to go with him to Philip and he will urge him on. The dauphin agrees, “If you say ay, the king will not say no.”
Lines 1–44: Hubert gives instructions to the Executioners to heat irons for branding, hide behind the arras, and when he stamps his foot, to rush out and bind Arthur to the chair. The First Executioner says he hopes Hubert has a warrant for “the deed.” Hubert rejects such scruples and calls Arthur to come to him. Arthur greets him and notices that he seems sad. Hubert confesses, “Indeed, I have been merrier.” Arthur goes on to say that no one should be as sad as he: he’d be delighted to be free—it’s not his fault he’s Geoffrey’s son; he wishes he were Hubert’s son. Hubert is determined to harden his heart. Arthur, however shows his concern, wishing Hubert were ill since he could then sit and watch with him. He believes he cares more for Hubert than Hubert does for him. Hubert is moved and shows Arthur the warrant. Arthur reads it and asks him if he has to burn out his eyes. Hubert replies that he must. Arthur asks him if he will do it and he replies that he will.
Lines 49–51: Arthur goes on to remind Hubert of how when he had a headache, he looked after him, and always asked how he was and what he needed. But he says if Hubert must do it then he must, although his eyes have done him no harm, not so much as to frown on him. Hubert says he’s sworn to do it. Arthur believes that such a thing could only happen in “this iron age.” Even the iron itself would pity him, drink his tears, and rust away. Arthur asks if Hubert is harder than iron. He would not have believed it, even if an angel told him that Hubert would put out his eyes. Hubert stamps his foot and the Executioners come out. Arthur begs Hubert to save him: the men’s looks terrify him. He implores him not to bind him and promises he’ll sit quietly, and will forgive him whatever he does. Hubert sends the men away; they’re glad to be away from “such a deed.”
Lines 92–144: Arthur then regrets sending away one who, he now realizes, despite his harsh looks, was his “friend.” Hubert tells him to prepare. Arthur asks if there is no remedy but Hubert assures him there is “None, but to lose your eyes.” Arthur wishes there were something in Hubert’s eyes and Hubert complains that he promised to sit quietly. Arthur again pleads with him to spare his eyes; he’d rather he cut out his tongue. He thinks the iron has gone cold. Hubert replies that it can be heated again but Arthur says “it’s dead for grief”—the breath of heaven has blown it out. Hubert says he can revive it with his breath but Arthur replies that if he does, he’ll make it blush for shame. Even iron and fire have more pity than him. Hubert is won over. He will let Arthur live but John mustn’t know. He’ll report Arthur’s death but will not harm him “for the wealth of all the world.”
Lines 1–82: John has had himself crowned a second time, although the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke think it a pointless waste of time and money—“wasteful and ridiculous excess.” John says he’s explained it to them and is willing to listen and grant their demands. Pembroke says the lords wish Arthur to be set free—the people think it wrong that he’s imprisoned and not at liberty. John agrees and says he will entrust Arthur to them. Hubert enters and John takes him to one side; Pembroke believes he’s the one charged with Arthur’s murder—he showed the warrant to a friend. He thinks Hubert has a wicked look and believes he’s already done “What we so feared he had a charge to do.” They note John’s changing color as Hubert speaks to him.
Lines 83–135: John announces that unfortunately Arthur is dead. The lords said they feared as much. John wonders why they look so hard at him, arguing that he doesn’t hold the power of life or death but Salisbury claims it is “apparent foul play” and that John will have to answer for it, either on earth or in heaven. Pembroke says he’ll go and seek Arthur’s grave. Once they’ve gone, John repents the deed since they’re so angry and his position is even less secure—“There is no sure foundation set on blood.” A messenger arrives to tell him that the French army have arrived led by the dauphin. John is surprised not to have heard of it before—why did his mother not warn him—but the messenger adds that both she and Constance are dead.
Lines 136–187: The Bastard enters with Peter of Pomfret. John says he doesn’t want any more bad news—he’s had enough. Richard tells him it’s better to know and John pulls himself together. He relates how he has traveled up and down the country collecting money for John’s wars and on his journeys heard strange rumors. He has brought one with him who prophesies that before the “next Ascension Day at noon” John will deliver up his crown. John orders Hubert to take the man to prison, to be hanged on that day. He asks Richard if he’s heard the news. Richard knows about the French and also the lords’ anger over Arthur’s death, holding John responsible. John orders Richard to go after them and bring them back to him. He sends the messenger off with him. John is alone just long enough on stage to reflect on the news: “My mother dead!”
Lines 188–276: Hubert reenters and says that five moons have been seen. People take it as a dangerous portent: everyone is afraid and rumors are spreading of the arrival of the French, and of Arthur’s death. John asks him why he urged him to kill his nephew—Hubert had no reason to wish Arthur dead. Hubert protests that John ordered him. John complains that it’s “the curse of kings” to be served by those who take their whims for orders. Hubert shows him the warrant, signed and sealed by John for Arthur’s death. John replies that it was Hubert’s fault: his presence and villainous appearance put the idea into his head. He blames Hubert for the deed and orders him out of his sight. Finally Hubert tells him that “Young Arthur is alive.” John is delighted and tells him to hurry and give the lords the news and bring them to him.
Lines 1–73: Arthur is high up on the prison wall, planning to escape, disguised as a ship boy. Despite his fear he decides to jump—he might as well “die and go, as die and stay.” He falls and is killed. Salisbury, Pembroke, and Bigot are making plans to join with the dauphin. Richard arrives, saying that the king would like to see them straightaway. They reply that they are no longer loyal to him since they do not wish to be stained with his dishonor, claiming they “know the worst.” The Bastard tries to persuade them, when they find Arthur’s body. They are shocked and horrified by the sight, believing he has been murdered. Salisbury and the others vow to avenge him.
Lines 74–165: Hubert enters to tell them that Arthur is alive but they believe that Hubert has killed him. They threaten him with their swords while Richard strives to keep the peace. Hubert tries to convince them that he’s not responsible. They refuse to believe him and leave to meet the dauphin at Bury. Richard asks Hubert if he knew of Arthur’s death. If he knew of “this most cruel act,” he should despair and kill himself. Hubert tries to convince him of his innocence, assuring Richard that he “left him [Arthur] well.” Richard orders him to lift the body up: Richard thinks he’s losing his way “Among the thorns and dangers of this world.” He foresees all the troubles that will now descend on England through foreign and civil war and John’s authority diminished at home. He reflects that he who can survive “this tempest” is fortunate and orders Hubert to follow him, carrying Arthur. There are a “thousand businesses” to attend to and “heaven itself” looks angrily on England.
Lines 1–30: King John gives up his crown to Cardinal Pandulph who returns it to him with the authority of the Pope. He then asks the Cardinal to go to meet the French and persuade them to return before there’s civil war and strife. The Cardinal agrees that since it was he that “blew this tempest up” because John refused to do the Pope’s will, now that he’s compliant he’ll calm the situation down, bidding him remember his oath of service to the Pope “On this Ascension Day.” He departs and while briefly alone, John recalls the prophecy that he would give the crown up before noon this day. He believed it meant he would be forced to but is thankful that it was “voluntary” on his part.
Lines 31–81: The Bastard reports that the war with France is going badly: Kent has yielded apart from Dover Castle, and London has welcomed the dauphin. The nobles refuse to listen to John and have gone to offer their services to the enemy; his few friends are all amazed. John asks if the lords wouldn’t return after hearing that Arthur was alive but Richard replies that they found his dead body. John says that “villain Hubert” told him he was alive and Richard replies that Hubert believed he was. He encourages John to behave proudly like a king and set a good example to his followers: “Show boldness and aspiring confidence.” John tells him the Pope’s legate has been with him and they’ve made peace—he’s going to dismiss the dauphin’s army. Richard is dismayed: “O inglorious league!” and thinks they should still make their arrangements to fight, in case the Cardinal fails: it should not be said that they didn’t try to defend their country. John tells him to organize everything, but privately fears that the French may be superior in strength.
Lines 1–118: Lewis accepts the services of Salisbury and the other rebel English lords. Salisbury swears to keep faith with him, regretting the need for war, grieving that they should follow a foreign lord and fighting their fellow countrymen, wishing their two Christian armies might join arms against a pagan enemy. Lewis praises those noble sentiments, which do him honour, but is amazed at his tears—“such manly drops.” He tells him to overcome them since he will “thrust [his] hand as deep / Into the purse of rich prosperity” as Lewis will himself. The Cardinal enters and Lewis thinks he has come to authorize their actions. Pandulph greets him and immediately says that John is now reconciled with Rome so the French should pack up their gear and go home. Lewis refuses, claiming that it’s too late and he’s “too high-born” to be told what to do. The Cardinal started this war and taught him what was right and he now intends to go on. Now that Arthur’s dead, by virtue of his marriage to Blanche, he claims the throne of England for himself. It’s he not Rome who has done and paid for everything and he believes he can win easily. The Cardinal complains this is a superficial view of things. They hear a trumpet sound.
Lines 119–183: The Bastard enters wanting to know if the Cardinal has succeeded in persuading the dauphin. Pandulph says the dauphin refuses to lay down his arms. Richard is delighted and makes a stirring speech on John’s behalf saying that they are prepared. Recalling how they defeated the French in France he asks whether it’s not more likely they’ll be successful here on their own land. He has special words of anger and scorn for the rebel lords, “you degenerate, you ingrate revolts, / You bloody Neroes …,” who would destroy their own land and telling them to blush for shame. Lewis is dismissive, saying he knows the Bastard can “outscold us” but he hasn’t got time to listen to “such a brabbler.” Richard taunts him that he will be beaten like his drums and claims that John used the Cardinal for “sport” rather than “need.” He threatens them that “warlike John” is at hand with “bare-ribbed Death” at his “forehead” who will feast upon “thousands of the French.” Each defies the other and they prepare to fight.
To the sounds of battle, John asks Hubert for news. Hubert thinks it’s going badly for the English and John reports feeling ill. A messenger enters from Richard telling John to leave the battlefield and to tell him which way he’s going. John replies to Swinstead Abbey. The messenger tells him to cheer up; the French supplies have been shipwrecked on the Goodwin Sands and they’re retreating. John repeats how ill he feels and tells them to take him straight to Swinstead.
Salisbury, Bigot, and Pembroke on the battlefield are surprised by how much support John has but have learned that he’s ill. The English success, though, is down to Richard: “That misbegotten devil Falconbridge.” Melun enters and warns them that they have been betrayed, that if the French win the dauphin has sworn to cut off their heads and he advises them to make peace with John. They cannot believe it but Melun asks why, since he is facing death himself, he should lie to them. He begs them to remove his body to some quiet place to die. They believe him and are glad that they need be traitors no longer but can return to King John.
Lewis is reflecting on French successes of a long day of battle when a messenger arrives to say that count Melun is dead, the English rebel lords have returned to John, and French supplies have been lost on Goodwin Sands. Lewis is dismayed by the turn of events but promises to be up before dawn to continue the fight in the morning.
Hubert seeks Richard with bad news: John has been poisoned by a monk. Richard asks who’s left to tend the king and Hubert tells him Prince Henry with the rebel lords who have returned to John. Prince Henry has asked for them to be pardoned. Richard says that he has lost half his army in the Wash and barely escaped himself and asks Hubert to take him to the king.
Lines 1–51: Prince Henry is discussing his father’s serious condition with Salisbury and Bigot. Pembroke enters, saying that John wishes to be brought out into the cool air. He asks if his father is still raging and Pembroke replies that he is calmer now and has just been singing. Prince Henry grieves for his dying father, wondering at the illness’ strange effect on his mind. Salisbury comforts him, telling him it’s his fate to resolve the confused situation of the times. John is brought into the orchard, relieved to be outside. He is burning inside and desires coolness but complains that none of them will help him. Prince Henry wishes his tears would help his father but John complains they’re too hot.
Lines 52–122: Richard rushes in eager to see John, who says he has just enough strength to hear his news. Richard says the dauphin is coming and he has lost half his army, but Salisbury tells him that John is dead. Richard says he will wait just long enough to avenge John and then follow him to the grave. He asks the stars for aid. Salisbury says he obviously doesn’t know that Cardinal Pandulph is resting inside, who came half an hour ago to say that he had concluded an honorable peace with the dauphin. Richard thinks he’ll be more inclined when he sees them ready to fight but Salisbury says it’s already concluded; the dauphin has already sent his troops home and left the Cardinal to arrange the rest with Richard, himself, and the other lords. Richard agrees; Prince Henry should accompany his father’s body to Worcester for burial. Richard offers his “faithful services / And true subjection” to the prince, and the other lords follow suit. Prince Henry wishes he could thank them but can only do so with his tears. Richard says they should grieve as befits the time, but England shall never be conquered, now that all are loyal again. Nothing will make them sorry “If England to itself do rest but true.”