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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    Sweete Iesu saue my soule, forgiue my rash attempt.
    Comfort my Mother, shield her from despaire,
    When she shall heare my tragick ouerthrowe.
    1940My heart controules the office of my toong,
    My vitall powers forsake my brused trunck,
    I dye I dye, heauen take my fleeting soule,
    And Lady Mother all good hap to thee. He dyes.

    Enter Penbrooke, Salsburie, Essex.

    1945Essex My Lords of Penbroke and of Salsbury
    We must be carefull in our pollicie
    To vndermine the kepers of this place,
    Else shall we neuer find the Princes graue.
    Penbrooke My Lord of Essex take no care for that,
    1950I warrant you it was not closely done.
    But who is this? lo Lords the withered flowre
    Who in his life shinde like the Mornings blush,
    Cast out a doore, denide his buriall right,
    A pray for birds and beasts to gorge vpon.
    1955Salsburie O ruthfull spectacle, O damned deede;
    My sinnewes shake, my very heart doth bleede.
    Essex Leaue childish teares braue Lords of England,
    If waterfloods could fetch his life againe,
    My eyes should conduit foorth a sea of teares.
    1960If sobbs would helpe, or sorrowes serue the turne,
    My heart should volie out deepe piercing plaints.
    But bootlesse wert to breath as many sighes
    As might eclipse the brightest Sommers sunne,
    Heere rests the helpe, a seruice to his ghost.
    1965Let not the tyrant causer of this dole,
    Liue to triumph in ruthfull massacres,
    Giue hand and hart, and Englishmen to armes,
    Tis Gods decree to wreake vs of these harmes,
    Penbrok The best aduise: But who commes posting heere.
    Enter