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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    Sirra, in hast goe greete the Cardinall,
    Pandulph I meane, the Legate from the Pope.
    Say that the King desires to speake with him.
    2185Now John bethinke thee how thou maist resolue:
    And if thou wilt continue Englands King,
    Then cast about to kéepe thy Diadem;
    For life and land, and all is leueld at.
    The Pope of Rome, tis he that is the cause,
    2190He curseth thee, he sets thy subiects free
    From due obedience to their Soueraigne:
    He animates the Nobles in their warres,
    He giues away the Crowne to Philips Sonne,
    And pardons all that seeke to murther thee:
    2195And thus blinde zeale is still predominant.
    Then Iohn there is no way to kéepe thy Crowne,
    But finely to dissemble with the Pope:
    That hand that gaue the wound must giue the salue
    To cure the hurt, els quite incurable.
    2200Thy sinnes are farre too great to be the man
    T'abolish Pope, and Popery from thy Realme:
    But in thy Seate, if I may gesse at all,
    A King shall raigne that shall suppresse them all.
    Peace John, here comes the Legate of the Pope,
    2205Dissemble thou, and whatsoere thou saist,
    Yet with thy heart wish their confusion.

    Enter Pandulph.

    Pand. Now Iohn, vnworthie man to breath on earth,
    That dost oppugne against thy Mother Church:
    2210Why am I sent for to thy cursed selfe?
    Iohn Thou man of God, Uicegerent for the Pope,
    The holy Uicar of S. Peters Church,
    Upon my knees, I pardon craue of thee,
    And doo submit me to the sea of Rome,
    2215Iud vow for penaunce of my high offence,
    B 3To