QueenʼsMen Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Through Line Number
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    If any heere that loues him, and I aske
    2320What kindship, lenitie, or christian raigne
    Rules in the man, to barre this foule impeach.
    First I inferre the Chesters bannishment:
    For reprehending him in most vnchristian crimes,
    Was speciall notice of a tyrants will.
    2325But were this all, the deuill should be saud,
    But this the least of many thousand faults,
    That circumstance with leisure might display.
    Our priuate wrongs, no parcell of my tale
    Which now in presence, but for some great cause
    2330Might wish to him as to a mortall foe.
    But shall I close the period with an acte
    Abhorring in the eares of Christian men,
    His Cosens death, that sweet vnguilty childe,
    Untimely butcherd by the tyrants meanes,
    2335Héere is my proofes as cleere as grauell brooke,
    And on the same I further must inferre,
    That who vpholds a tyrant in his course,
    Is culpable of all his damned guilt.
    To show the which, is yet to be describd.
    2340My Lord of Penbrooke shew what is behinde,
    Only I say that were there nothing else
    To moue vs but the Popes most dreadfull cursse,
    Whereof we are assured if we fayle,
    It were inough to instigate vs all
    2345With earnestnesse of sprit to seeke a meane
    To dispossesse Iohn of his regiment.
    Penbrooke Well hath my Lord of Essex tolde his tale,
    Which I auer for most substanciall truth,
    And more to make the matter to our minde,
    2350I say that Lewes in chalenge of his wife,
    Hath title of an vncontrouled plea
    To all that longeth to our English Crowne.
    Short tale to make, the Sea apostolick
    Hath offerd dispensation for the fault.
    CIf
    About
    Contact us
    © Queen's Men Editions
    Published by the ISE
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    Friends of the ISE
    McMaster University
    Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
    University of Toronto
    Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies
    University of Victoria