"Tedious As A Twice-told Tale"

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Context: Philip, King of France, has been bested by John, King of England, who has fortified his French conquests and sailed for England. Constance, mother of Arthur, complaining to Philip about the loss of her son, is going mad with grief over her tragedy. She curses peace and wishes that her feeble hand were strong enough to shake the very earth. When she leaves, beside herself with anguish, Philip, fearing some "outrage," follows her. Lewis, the dauphin, summarizes his own opinion as well as that of Constance in these lines (cf. Homer Odyssey Bk. XII):


LEWIS
There's nothing in this world can make me joy.
Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale,
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man;
And bitter shame hath spoiled the sweet world's taste
That it yields naught but shame and bitterness.

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