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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    Canst blab the counsell of thy Makers will.
    If fame be true, or truth be wrongd by thee,
    Decide in cyphering what these fiue Moones
    Portend this Clyme, if they presage at all.
    1780Breath out thy gift, and if I liue to see
    Thy diuination take a true effect,
    Ile honour thee aboue all earthly men.
    Peter The Skie wherein these Moones haue residence,
    Presenteth Rome the great Metropolis,
    1785Where sits the Pope in all his holy pompe.
    Fowre of the Moones present fowre Prouinces,
    To wit, Spaine, Denmarke, Germanie, and Fraunce,
    That beare the yoke of proud commaunding Rome,
    And stand in feare to tempt the Prelates curse.
    1790The smallest Moone that whirles about the rest,
    Impatient of the place he holds with them,
    Doth figure foorth this Iland Albion,
    Who gins to scorne the Sea and State of Rome,
    And seekes to shun the Edicts of the Pope:
    1795This showes the heauen, and this I doo auerre
    Is figured in these apparitions.
    Iohn Why then it seemes the heauens smile on vs,
    Giuing applause for leauing of the Pope.
    But for they chaunce in our Meridian,
    1800Doo they effect no priuate growing ill
    To be inflicted on vs in this Clyme?
    Peter The Moones effect no more than what I said:
    But on some other knowledge that I haue
    By my prescience, ere Ascension day
    1805Haue brought the Sunne vnto his vsuall height,
    Of Crowne, Estate, and Royall dignitie,
    Thou shalt be cleane dispoyld and dispossest.
    Iohn False Dreamer, perish with thy witched newes,
    Uillaine thou woundst me with thy fallacies:
    1810If it be true, dye for thy tidings price;
    If false, for fearing me with vaine suppose:
    G 3 Hence
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