Had the king in his last sickness failed.
Shak.
6. To be found wanting with respect to an action or a duty to be
performed, a result to be secured, etc.; to miss; not to fulfill
expectation.
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this.
Ezra iv. 22.
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.
Shak.
7. To come short of a result or object aimed at or desired ; to be
baffled or frusrated.
Our envious foe hath failed.
Milton.