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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    1970Enter Hughbert.
    Right noble Lords, I speake vnto you all,
    The King intreates your soonest speed
    To visit him, who on your present want,
    Did ban and cursse his birth, himselfe and me.
    1975For executing of his strict commaund.
    I saw his passion, and at fittest time,
    Assurde him of his cousins being safe,
    Whome pittie would not let me doo to death,
    He craues your company my Lords in haste,
    1980To whome I will conduct young Arthur streight,
    Who is in health vnder my custodie.
    Essex In health base villaine, wert not I leaue thy crime
    To Gods reuenge, to whome reuenge belongs,
    Heere shouldst thou perish on my Rapires point.
    1985Calst thou this health? such health betide thy friends,
    And all that are of thy condition.
    Hughbert My Lords, but heare me speake, & kil me then,
    If heere I left not this yong Prince aliue,
    Maugre the hasty Edict of the King,
    1990Who gaue me charge to put out both his eyes,
    That God that gaue me liuing to this howre,
    Thunder reuenge vpon me in this place:
    And as I tenderd him with earnest loue,
    So God loue me, and then I shall be well.
    1995Sals. Hence traytor hence thy councel is herein. Exit Hughb.
    Some in this place appoynted by the King
    Haue throwne him from this lodging here aboue,
    And sure the murther hath bin newly done,
    For yet the body is not fully colde.
    2000Essex How say you Lords, shall we with speed dispatch
    Under our hands a packet into Fraunce
    To bid the Dolphin enter with his force
    To claime the Kingdome for his proper right,
    His title maketh lawfull strength thereto.
    2005Besides the Pope, on perill of his cursse,
    Hath
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