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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
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Troublesome Reign of King John ((Quarto, 1581))

    of King Iohn.

    Arthur Yes where in forme of Lawe in place and time,
    1570The offender is conuicted of the crime.
    Hubert My Lord, my Lord, this long expostulation,
    Heapes vp more griefe, than promise of redresse;
    For this I know, and so resolude I end,
    That subiects liues on Kings commaunds depend.
    1575I must not reason why he is your foe,
    But doo his charge since he commaunds it so.
    Arthur Then doo thy charge, and charged be thy soule
    With wrongfull persecution done this day.
    You rowling eyes, whose superficies yet
    1580I doo behold with eyes that Nature lent:
    Send foorth the terror of your Moouers frowne,
    To wreake my wrong vpon the murtherers
    That rob me of your faire reflecting view:
    Let hell to them (as earth they wish to mée)
    1585Be darke and direfull guerdon for their guylt,
    And let the black tormenters of deepe Tartary
    Upbraide them with this damned enterprise,
    Inflicting change of tortures on their soules.
    Delay not Hubert, my orisons are ended,
    1590Begin I pray thée, reaue me of my sight:
    But to performe a tragedie indéede,
    Conclude the period with a mortall stab.
    Constance farewell, tormentor come away,
    Make my dispatch the Tirants feasting day.
    1595Hubert I faint, I feare, my conscience bids desist:
    Faint did I say, feare was it that I named?
    My King commaunds, that warrant sets me frée:
    But God forbids, and he commaundeth Kings,
    That great Commaunder counterchecks my charge,
    1600He stayes my hand, he maketh soft my heart,
    Goe cursed tooles, your office is exempt,
    Cheere thée yong Lord, thou shalt not loose an eye,
    Though I should purchase it with losse of life.
    Ile to the King, and say his will is done,
    And
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