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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    2110Pandulph that lies here Legate for the Pope,
    Thinks long to sée their new elected King.
    And for vndoubted proofe, sée here my Liege
    Letters to me from your Nobilitie,
    To be a partie in this action:
    2115Wha vnder show of fained holines,
    Appoynt their meeting at S. Edmonds Bury,
    There to consult, conspire, and conclude
    The ouerthrow and downfall of your State.
    Iohn Why so it must be: one hower of content
    2120Matcht with a month of passionate effects.
    Why shines the Sunne to fauour this consort?
    Why doo the windes not breake their brazen gates,
    And scatter all these periurd complices,
    With all their counsells and their damned drifts.
    2125But see the welkin rolleth gently on,
    Theres not a lowring clowde to frowne on them;
    The heauen, the earth, the sunne, the moone and all
    Conspire with those confederates my decay.
    Then hell for me if any power be there,
    2130Forsake that place, and guide me step by step
    To poyson, strangle, murder in their steps
    These traitors: oh that name is too good for them,
    And death is easie: is there nothing worse
    To wreake me on this proud peace-breaking crew?
    2135What saist thou Philip? why assists thou not,
    Bastard These curses (good my Lord) fit not the season:
    Help must descend from heauen against this treason?
    Iohn Nay thou wilt prooue a traitor with the rest,
    Goe get thee to them, shame come to you all.
    2140Bastard I would be loath to leaue your Highnes thus,
    Yet you command, and I though grieud will goe.
    Iohn Ah Philip whether goest thou, come againe.
    Bastard My Lord these motions are as passions of a mad (man.
    Iohn A mad man Philip, I am mad indeed,
    2145My hart is mazd, my senses all foredone.
    B 2And
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