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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    And Iohn of England now is quite vndone.
    Was euer King as I opprest with cares?
    Dame Elianor my noble Mother Quéene,
    My onely hope and comfort in distresse,
    2150Is dead, and England excommunicate,
    And I am interdicted by the Pope,
    All Churches curst, their doores are sealed vp,
    And for the pleasure of the Romish Priest,
    The seruice of the Highest is neglected;
    2155The multitude (a beast of many heads)
    Doo wish confusion to their Soueraigne;
    The Nobles blinded with ambitions fumes,
    Assemble powers to beat mine Empire downe,
    And more than this, elect a forren King.
    2160O England, wert thou euer miserable,
    King Iohn of England sées thée miserable:
    Iohn, tis thy sinnes that makes it miserable,
    Quicquid delirunt Reges, plectuntur Achius.
    Philip, as thou hast euer loude thy King,
    2165So show it now: post to S. Edmonds Bury,
    Dissemble with the Nobles, know their drifts,
    Confound their diuelish plots, and damnd deuices.
    Though Iohn be faultie, yet let subiects beare,
    He will amend and right the peoples wrongs.
    2170A Mother though she were vnnaturall,
    Is better than the kindest Stepdame is:
    Let neuer Englishman trust forraine rule.
    Then Philip shew thy fealtie to thy King,
    And mongst the Nobles plead thou for the King.
    2175Bastard I goe my Lord: sée how he is distraught,
    This is the cursed Priest of Italy
    Hath heapt these mischiefes on this haplesse Land.
    Now Philip, hadst thou Tullyes eloquence,
    Then mightst thou hope to plead with good successe. Exit.
    2180Iohn And art thou gone? successe may follow thee:
    Thus hast thou shewd thy kindnes to thy King.
    Sirra,
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