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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 I, saist thou so, & if thou wilt the frier is at libertie,
    1260If not, as I am honest man, Ile hang you both for companie.
    Frier Come hether, this is the chest though simple to behold
    That wanteth not a thousand pound in siluer and in gold.
    My selfe will warrant full so much, I know the Abbots store,
    Ile pawne my life there is no lesse to haue what ere is more.
    1265Philip I take thy word, the ouerplus vnto thy share shall
    come,
    But if there want of full so much, thy neck shall pay the sum.
    Breake vp the Cofer, Frier.
    Frier Oh I am vndun, faire Alice the Nun
    1270Hath tooke vp her rest in the Abbots chest,
    Sancte benedicite, pardon my simplicitie.
    Fie Alice, confession will not salue this transgression.
    Philip What haue wee here, a holy Nun? So kéeeepe mee
    God in health,
    1375A smooth facte Nunne (for ought I knowe) is all the Abbots
    wealth.
    Is this the Nonries chastitie? Beshrewe me but I thinke
    They goe as oft to Uenery, as niggards to their drinke.
    Why paltrey Frier and Pandar too, yee shamelesse shauen
    1380 crowne,
    Is this the chest that held a hoord, at least a thousand pound?
    And is the hoord a holy whore? Wel be the hangman nimble,
    Hee'le take the paine to paye you home, and teach you to dis-
    semble.
    1385Nunne O spare the Frier Anthony, a better neuer was
    To sing a Dirige solemnly, or read a morning Masse.
    If money be the meanes of this, I know an ancient Nunne,
    That hath a hoord this seauen yeares, did neuer sée the sunne;
    And that is yours, and what is ours, so fauour now be shown,
    1390You shall commaund as commonly, as if it were your owne.
    Frier Your honour excepted.
    Nunne I Thomas, I meane so.
    Philip From all saue from Friers.
    Nunne Good Sir, doo not thinke so?
    F Philip