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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))

    of King Iohn.

    Philip Will Angiers yéeld to Philip King of Fraunce,
    En. Her. The Townsmen on the wals accept your Grace.
    Fr. Her. And craue a parley of your Maiestie.
    705Iohn You Citizens of Angiers, haue your eyes
    Beheld the slaughter that our English bowes
    Haue made vpon the coward frawdfull French?
    And haue you wisely pondred therewithall
    Your gaine in yeelding to the English King?
    710Philip Their losse in yéelding to the English King.
    But Iohn, they saw from out their highest Towers
    The Cheualiers of Fraunce and crossebow shot
    Make lanes of slaughtred bodies through thine hoast,
    And are resolude to yéelde to Arthurs right.
    715Iohn Why Philip, though thou brauest it fore the walls,
    Thy conscience knowes that Iohn hath wonne the field.
    Philip What ere my conscience knows, thy Armie feeles
    That Philip had the better of the day.
    Bastard Philip indéede hath got the Lyons case,
    720Which here he holds to Lymoges disgrace.
    Base Duke to flye and leaue such spoyles behinde:
    But this thou knewst of force to make mée stay.
    It farde with thée as with the marriner,
    Spying the hugie Whale, whose monstrous bulke
    725Doth beare the waues like mountaines fore the winde,
    That throwes out emptie vessells, so to stay
    His furie, while the ship doth saile away.
    Philip tis thine: and fore this Princely presence,
    Madame I humbly lay it at your feete,
    730Being the first aduenture I atchieud,
    And first exployt your Grace did enioyne:
    Yet many more I long to be enioynd.
    Blaunch Philip I take it, and I thee commaund
    To weare the same as earst thy Father did:
    735Therewith receiue this fauour at my hands,
    T'incourage thee to follow Richards fame.
    Arthur Ye Citizens of Angiers, are ye mute?
    D Arthur