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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    2355If any be, as trust me none I know
    By planting Lewes in the Usurpers roome:
    This is the cause of all our presence héere,
    That on the holie Altar we protest
    To ayde the right of Lewes with goods and life,
    2360Who on our knowledge is in Armes for England.
    What say you Lords?
    Salsburie As Pembrooke sayth, affirmeth Salsburie:
    Faire Lewes of Fraunce that spoused Lady Blanch,
    Hath title of an vncontrouled strength
    2365To England, and what longeth to the Crowne:
    In right whereof, as we are true informd,
    The Prince is marching hitherward in Armes.
    Our purpose to conclude that with a word,
    Is to inuest him as we may deuise,
    2370King of our Countrey in the tyrants stead:
    And so the warrant on the Altar sworne,
    And so the intent for which we hither came.
    Bastard. My Lord of Salsbury, I cannot couch
    My speeches with the néedfull words of arte,
    2375As doth beseeme in such a waightie worke,
    But what my conscience and my dutie will
    I purpose to impart.
    For Chesters exile, blame his busie wit,
    That medled where his dutie quite forbade:
    2380For any priuate causes that you haue,
    Me thinke they should not mount to such a height,
    As to depose a King in their reuenge.
    For Arthurs death King Iohn was innocent,
    He desperat was the deathsman to himselfe,
    2385With you to make a colour to your crime iniustly do impute (to his default,
    But where fell traytorisme hath residence,
    There wants no words to set despight on worke.
    I say tis shame, and worthy all reproofe,
    To wrest such pettie wrongs in tearmes of right,
    2390Against a King annoynted by the Lord.
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