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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    Not Peer Reviewed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

    Hubert Why heres my Lord your Highnes hand & seale,
    Charging on liues regard to doo the deede.
    1885John Ah dull conceipted peazant knowst thou not,
    It was a damned execrable deede:
    Showst me a seale? Oh villaine, both our soules
    Haue solde their freedome to the thrall of hell,
    Under the warrant of that cursed seale.
    1890Hence villaine, hang thy selfe, and say in hell
    That I am comming for a kingdome there.
    Hubert My Lord attend the happie tale I tell,
    For heauens health send Sathan packing hence
    That instigates your Highnes to despaire.
    1895If Arthurs death be dismall to be heard,
    Bandie the newes for rumors of vntruth:
    He liues my Lord, the sweetest youth aliue,
    In health, with eysight, not a haire amisse.
    This hart tooke vigor from this forward hand,
    1900Making it weake to execute your charge.
    Iohn What liues he? Then sweete hope come hom agen,
    Chase hence despaire, the purueyer for hell.
    Hye Hubert, tell these tidings to my Lords
    That throb in passions for yong Arthurs death:
    1905Hence Hubert, stay not till thou hast reueald
    The wished newes of Arthurs happy health.
    I goe my selfe, the ioyfulst man aliue
    To storie out this new supposed crime. Exeunt.

    The ende of the first part.