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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    Not Peer Reviewed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))

    The troublesome Raigne

    Curse, ban, and breath out damned orisons,
    1675As thick as hailestones fore the springs approach:
    But yet as harmles and without effect,
    As is the eccho of a Cannons crack
    Dischargd against the battlements of heauen.
    But what newes els befell there Philip?
    1680Bastard Strange newes my Lord: within your territo-
    Nere Pomfret is a Prophet new sprong vp, (ries,
    Whose diuination volleys wonders foorth;
    To him the Commons throng with Countrey gifts,
    He sets a date vnto the Beldames death,
    1685Prescribes how long the Uirgins state shall last,
    Distinguisheth the moouing of the heauens,
    Giues limits vnto holy nuptiall rytes,
    Foretelleth famine, aboundeth plentie forth,
    Of fate, of fortune, life and death he chats,
    1690With such assurance, scruples put apart,
    As if he knew the certaine doomes of heauen,
    Or kept a Register of all the Destinies.
    Iohn Thou telst me meruailes, would thou hadst brought
    We might haue questiond him of things to come. (the mau,
    1695Bastard My Lord, I tooke a care of had I wist,
    And brought the Prophet with me to the Court,
    He stayes my Lord but at the Presence doore:
    Pleaseth your Highnes, I will call him in.
    Iohn Nay stay awhile, wée'l haue him here anon,
    1700A thing of weight is first to be performd.

    Enter the Nobles and crowne King Iohn, and then crie
    God saue the King.

    Iohn Lordings and friends supporters of our state,
    Admire not at this vnaccustomd course,
    1705Nor in your thoughts blame not this déede of yours.
    Once ere this time was I inuested King,
    Your fealtie sworne as Liegmen to our state:
    Once
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