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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    Not Peer Reviewed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))

    Enter
    The troublesome Raigne
    2565 Enter K. Iohn, Bastard, Pandulph, and a many priests
    with them.
    Thus Iohn thou art absolude from all thy sinnes,
    And freed by order from our Fathers curse.
    Receiue thy Crowne againe, with this prouiso,
    2570That thou remaine true liegeman to the Pope,
    And carry armes in right of holy Rome.
    Iohn I holde the same as tenaunt to the Pope,
    And thanke your Holines for your kindnes showne.
    Philip A proper iest, when Kings must stoop to Friers,
    2575Neede hath no law, when Friers must be Kings.
    Enter a Messenger.
    Mess. Please it your Maiestie, the Prince of Fraunce,
    With all the Nobles of your Graces Land,
    Are marching hetherward in good aray.
    2580Where ere they set their foote, all places yéeld:
    Thy Land is theirs, and not a foote holds out
    But Douer Castle, which is hard besiegd.
    Pandulph Feare not King Iohn, thy kingdome is ye popes,
    And they shall know his Holines hath power,
    2585To beate them soone from whence he hath to doo.
    Drums and Trumpets. Enter Lewes, Melun, Salis-
    bury, Essex, Pembrooke, and all the Nobles from
    Fraunce, and England.
    Lewes Pandulph, as gaue his Holines in charge,
    2590So hath the Dolphin mustred vp his troupes
    And wonne the greatest part of all this Land.
    But ill becomes your Grace Lord Cardinall,
    Thus to conuerse with Iohn that is accurst.
    Pandulph
    of King Iohn.
    Pandulph Lewes of France, victorious Conqueror,
    2595Whose sword hath made this Iland quake for fear;
    Thy forwardnes to fight for holy Rome,
    Shalbe remunerated to the full:
    But know my Lord, K. Iohn is now absolude,
    The Pope is pleasde, the Land is blest agen,
    2600And thou hast brought each thing to good effect.
    It resteth then that thou withdraw thy powers,
    And quietly returne to Fraunce againe:
    For all is done the Pope would wish thée doo.
    Lewes But als not done that Lewes came to doo.
    2605Why Pandulph, hath K. Philip sent his sonne
    And been at such excessiue charge in warres,
    To be dismist with words? K. Iohn shall know,
    England is mine, and he vsurps my right.
    Pand. Lewes, I charge thee and thy complices
    2610Upon the paine of Pandulphs holy curse,
    That thou withdraw thy powers to Fraunce againe,
    And yeeld vp London and the neighbour Townes
    That thou hast tane in England by the sword.
    Melun Lord Cardinall, by Lewes princely leaue,
    2615It can be nought but vsurpation
    In thee, the Pope, and all the Church of Rome,
    Thus to insult on Kings of Christendome,
    Now with a word to make them carie armes,
    Then with a word to make them leaue their armes.
    2620This must not be: Prince Lewes keepe thine owne,
    Let Pope and Popelings curse their bellyes full.
    Bast. My Lord of Melun, what title had the Prince
    To England and the Crowne of Albion,
    But such a title as the Pope confirmde:
    2625The Prelate now lets fall his fained claime:
    Lewes is but the agent for the Pope,
    Then must the Dolphin cease, sith he hath ceast:
    But cease or no, it greatly matters not,
    If you my Lords and Barrons of the Land
    DWill
    The troublesome Raigne
    2630Will leaue the French, and cleaue vnto your King.
    For shame ye Peeres of England, suffer not
    Your selues, your honours, and your land to fall:
    But with resolued thoughts beate back the French,
    And free the Land from yoke of seruitude.
    2635Salisbury Philip, not so, Lord Lewes is our King,
    And we will follow him vnto the death.
    Pand. Then in the name of Innocent the Pope,
    I curse the Prince and all that take his part,
    And excommunicate the rebell Peeres
    2640As traytors to the King, and to the Pope.
    Lewes Pandolph, our swords shall blesse our selues agen:
    Prepare thee Iohn, Lords follow me your King. Exeunt.
    Iohn Accursed Iohn, the diuell owes thée shame,
    Resisting Rome, or yeelding to the Pope, alls one.
    2645The diuell take the Pope, the Peeres, and Fraunce:
    Shame be my share for yeelding to the Priest.
    Pand. Comfort thy self K. Iohn, the Cardnall goes
    Upon his curse to make them leaue their armes. Exit.
    Bastard Comfort my Lord, and curse the Cardinall,
    2650Betake your self to armes, my troupes are prest
    To answere Lewes with a lustie shocke:
    The English Archers haue their quiuers full,
    Their bowes are bent, the pykes are prest to push:
    God chéere my Lord, K. Richards fortune hangs
    2655Upon the plume of warlike Philips helme.
    Then let them know his brother and his sonne
    Are leaders of the Englishmen at armes.
    Iohn Philip I know not how to answere thee:
    But let vs hence, to answere Lewes pride.
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