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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    2950What cheere Lord Abbot, me thinks you frowne like an host
    that knowes his guest hath no money to pay the reckning?
    Abbot No my Liege, if I frowne at all, it is for I feare
    this cheere too homely to entertaine so mighty a guest as
    your Maiesty.
    2955Bastard I thinke rather my Lord Abbot you remember
    my last being heere, when I went in progresse for powtches,
    and the rancor of his heart breakes out in his countenance,
    to shew he hath not forgot me.
    Abbot Not so my Lord, you, and the meanest follower
    2960of his maiesty, are hartely welcome to me.
    Monke Wassell my Liege, and as a poore Monke may
    say, welcome to Swinsted.
    Iohn Begin Monke, and report hereafter thou wast taster
    to a King.
    2965Monk As much helth to your highnes, as to my own hart.
    Iohn I pledge thee kinde Monke.
    Monke The meriest draught yt euer was dronk in Englãd.
    Am I not too bold with your Highnesse.
    Iohn Not a whit, all friends and fellowes for a time.
    2970Monke If the inwards of a Toad be a compound of any
    proofe: why so it works.
    Iohn Stay Phillip wheres the Monke?
    Bastard He is dead my Lord.
    Iohn Then drinke not Phillip for a world of wealth.
    2975Bast. What cheere my Liege, your cullor gins to change.
    Iohn So doth my life, O Phillip I am poysond.
    The Monke, the Deuill, the poyson gins to rage,
    It will depose my selfe a King from raigne.
    Bastard This Abbot hath an interest in this act.
    2980At all aduentures take thou that from me.
    There lye the Abbot, Abbey, Lubber, Deuill.
    March with the Monke vnto the gates of hell.
    How fares my Lord?
    Iohn Phillip some drinke, oh for the frozen Alps,
    2985To tumble on and coole this inward heate,
    That rageth as the fornace seuenfold hote.
    E 2To