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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    Not Peer Reviewed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 second part of the troublesome Raigne
    of King Iohn, containing the entrance of Lewes
    the French Kings sonne: with the poysoning of King
    Iohn by a Monke.

    1915Enter yong Arthur on the walls.

    NOw helpe good hap to further mine entent,
    Crosse not my youth with any more extreames:
    I venter life to gaine my libertie,
    And if I die, worlds troubles haue an end.
    1920Feare gins disswade the strength of my resolue,
    My holde will faile, and then alas I fall,
    And if I fall, no question death is next:
    Better desist, and liue in prison still.
    Prison said I? nay rather death than so:
    1925Comfort and courage come againe to me.
    Ile venter sure: tis but a leape for life.

    He leapes, and brusing his bones, after he was from
    his traunce, speakes thus;

    Hoe, who is nigh? some bodie take me vp.
    1930Where is my mother? let me speake with her.
    Who hurts me thus? speake hoe, where are you gone?
    Ay me poore Arthur, I am here alone.
    Why cald I mother, how did I forget?
    My fall, my fall, hath kilde my Mothers Sonne.
    1935How will she wéepe at tidings of my death?
    My death indéed, O God my bones are burst.
    A 3Swéete