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  • Title: The Troublesome Reign of King John ((Quarto, 1581))
  • Editor: Karen Oberer

  • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editor: Karen Oberer
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    The Troublesome Reign of King John ((Quarto, 1581))

    The troublesome Raigne

    170And at my Fathers back returne agen
    My Mother was deliuered as tis sed,
    Sixe weekes before the account my Father made.
    But more than this: looke but on Philips face,
    His features, actions, and his lineaments,
    175And all this Princely presence shall confesse,
    He is no other but King Richards Sonne.
    Then gracious Lord, rest he King Richards Sonne,
    And let me rest safe in my Fathers right,
    That am his rightfull sonne and onely heire.
    180Iohn Is this thy proofe, and all thou hast to say?
    Robert I haue no more, nor néede I greater proofe.
    John First, where thou saidst in absence of thy Sire
    My Brother often lodged in his house:
    And what of that? base groome to slaunder him,
    185That honoured his Embassador so much,
    In absence of the man to cheere the wife?
    This will not hold, proceede vnto the next.
    Q Elinor Thou saist she téemde six wéeks before her time.
    Why good Sir Squire are you so cunning growen
    190To make account of womens reckonings:
    Spit in your hand and to your other proofes:
    Many mischaunces hap in such affaires
    To make a woman come before her time.
    Iohn And where thou saist he looketh like the King
    195In action, feature and proportion:
    Therein I holde with thée, for in my life
    I neuer saw so liuely counterfet
    Of Richard Cordelion, as in him.
    Robert Then good my Lord, be you indifferent Iudge,
    200And let me haue my liuing and my right.
    Q. Elinor Nay heare you Sir, you runne away too fast:
    Know you not, Omne simile non est idem?
    Or haue read in. Harke ye good sir,
    Twas thus I warrant, and no otherwise,
    205She lay with Sir Robert your Father, and thought vppon
    King