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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    Not Peer Reviewed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
    The right Christian Prince my Maister, Lewes of Fraunce, is
    at hand, comming to visit your Honors, directed hether by
    the right honorable Richard Earle of Bigot, to conferre
    with your Honors.
    2430Penbrooke How néere is his Highnesse,
    Messenger Ready to enter your presence.

    Enter Lewes, Earle Bigot, with his troupe.

    Lewes Faire Lords of England, Lewes salutes you all
    As friends, and firme welwillers of his weale,
    2435At whose request from plenty flowing Fraunce
    Crossing the Ocean with a Southern gale,
    He is in person come at your commaunds
    To vndertake and gratifie withall
    The fulnesse of your fauours proffred him.
    2440But worlds braue men, omitting promises,
    Till time be minister of more amends,
    I must acquaint you with our fortunes course.
    The heauens dewing fauours on my head,
    Haue in their conduct safe with victorie,
    2445Brought me along your well manured bounds,
    With small repulse, and little crosse of chaunce.
    Your Citie Rochester with great applause
    By some deuine instinct layd armes aside:
    And from the hollow holes of Thamesis
    2450Eccho apace replide Viue la roy.
    From thence, along the wanton rowling glade
    To Troynouant your fayre Metropolis,
    With luck came Lewes to shew his troupes of Fraunce,
    Wauing our Ensignes with the dallying windes,
    2455The fearefull obiect of fell frowning warre;
    Where after some assault, and small defence,
    Heauens may I say, and not my warlike troupe,
    Temperd their hearts to take a friendly foe
    Within the compasse of their high built walles,
    2460Geuing me title as it seemd they wish.
    Thus
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