Original: Yes, that I will; and wherefore will I do it?
Modern: Yes, I will do it; and why will I do it?

Original: I tore them from their bonds and cried aloud
Modern: I tore my hair free from its bindings and cried out loud

Original: ‘O that these hands could so redeem my son,
Modern: “Oh, if only these hands could rescue my son

Original: As they have given these hairs their liberty!’
Modern: The same way they’ve set my hair free!”

Original: But now I envy at their liberty,
Modern: But now I’m jealous of my hair’s freedom,

Original: And will again commit them to their bonds,
Modern: And I will tie it up again,

Original: Because my poor child is a prisoner.
Modern: Because my poor son is imprisoned.

Original: And, father cardinal, I have heard you say
Modern: And, Cardinal, I’ve heard you say

Original: That we shall see and know our friends in heaven:
Modern: That we will see and recognize our loved ones in heaven:

Original: If that be true, I shall see my boy again;
Modern: If that’s true, I’ll see my boy again;

Original: For since the birth of Cain, the first male child,
Modern: Because since Cain was born, the first male child ever,

Original: To him that did but yesterday suspire,
Modern: Until the one who just took his last breath yesterday,

Original: There was not such a gracious creature born.
Modern: There has never been such a beautiful, blessed child born.

Original: But now will canker-sorrow eat my bud
Modern: But now grief, like a disease, will destroy my young flower

Original: And chase the native beauty from his cheek
Modern: And drive away the natural beauty from his face

Original: And he will look as hollow as a ghost,
Modern: And he will look as thin and empty as a ghost,

Original: As dim and meagre as an ague’s fit,
Modern: As pale and wasted as someone suffering from a fever,

Original: And so he’ll die; and, rising so again,
Modern: And that’s how he’ll die; and when he rises again in heaven,

Original: When I shall meet him in the court of heaven
Modern: When I meet him in the kingdom of heaven

Original: I shall not know him: therefore never, never
Modern: I won’t recognize him: therefore never, never

Original: Must I behold my pretty Arthur more.
Modern: Will I see my beautiful Arthur again.

In Act III, Scene 4 of King John, the scene opens with King John, Hubert, and attendants present as John expresses his troubled state of mind and physical discomfort. The King speaks of feeling feverish and unwell, describing how his blood burns and his heart feels heavy with grief. He instructs Hubert to have attendants tend to him and mentions his need for rest, while also expressing concerns about the various troubles plaguing his reign. John’s condition appears to be both physical illness and mental anguish stemming from the political turmoil and moral conflicts he faces as king.

The scene focuses primarily on John’s vulnerable state as he deals with the consequences of his actions and the pressures of kingship. Hubert serves as a loyal attendant, responding to the King’s needs and commands throughout their interaction. The King’s distress is evident as he struggles with both his bodily ailments and the weight of his royal responsibilities, creating a moment where the powerful monarch appears diminished by his circumstances. The scene establishes John’s deteriorating condition and sets the stage for the continuing political and personal crises that will unfold in the remainder of the play.

King John opens with King Philip of France supporting Arthur, the young son of John’s deceased brother Geoffrey, as the rightful heir to the English throne. John’s mother, Queen Eleanor, and the French court engage in heated disputes over legitimacy. Meanwhile, the Bastard (Philip Faulconbridge), illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart, joins John’s cause after being legitimized. War breaks out between England and France, with the strategic town of Angiers caught between the two armies.

The conflict temporarily resolves when John’s niece Blanche marries the French Dauphin Lewis, uniting the two kingdoms. However, Cardinal Pandulph arrives from Rome and excommunicates John for refusing to accept Stephen Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury. The Cardinal persuades France to break the peace and resume war against the excommunicated English king. In the ensuing battle, Arthur is captured by John’s forces.

John orders Hubert to kill the young Arthur, but Hubert cannot bring himself to murder the child and instead hides him. When Arthur later dies attempting to escape from his prison tower, the English nobles believe John has murdered him and defect to join the invading French forces led by the Dauphin. As John faces rebellion from within and invasion from without, he submits to the Pope’s authority to regain legitimacy. However, he falls ill and is poisoned by a monk at Swinstead Abbey.

The Bastard rallies the remaining English forces and discovers that the French nobles plan to kill their English allies after victory. This intelligence helps reconcile the English lords to their king. John dies, and his young son Henry is crowned King Henry III. The Dauphin withdraws his forces, and Cardinal Pandulph negotiates peace. The play concludes with the Bastard delivering a patriotic speech about England’s strength when united against foreign threats.