Troublesome Raigne of Iohn King of England with the discouerie of King Richard Cordelions Base sonne vulgarly named The Bastard Fawconbridge also the death of King Iohn at Swinstead Abbey As it was sundry times publikely acted by the Queenes Maiesties Players in the honourable Citie of London Imprinted at London for Sampson Clarke and are to be solde at his shop on the backeside of the Royall Exchange 1591. To the Gentlemen Readers YOu that with friendly grace of smoothed brow Haue entertained the Scythian Taâ—burlaine And giuen applause vnto an Infidel Vouchsafe to welcome with like curtesie A warlike Christian and your Coâ—ntreyman For Christs true faith indur'd he many a storme And set himselfe against the Man of Rome Vntill ase treason by a damned wight Diâ—â— all his former triumphs put to â—ight Accept of it sweete Gentles in good sort And thinke it was preparde for your diâ—port The troublesome Raigne of King Iohn Enter K. Iohn Queene Elinor his mother William Marshal Earle of Pembrooke the Earles of Essex and of Salisbury Queene Elianor BArons of England and my noble Lords Though 〈◊〉 Fortune haue bereft from vs Victorious 〈…〉 scourge of Infidels And clad this 〈◊〉 in stole of dismall hieu Yet giue me leaue to ioy and ioy you all That from this wombe hath sprung a second hope A King that may in rule and vertue both Succéede his brother in his Emperie K. John My gracious mother Queene and Barons all Though farre vnworthie of so high a place As is the Throne of mightie Englands King Yet Iohn your Lord contented vncontent Will as he may sustaine the heauie yoke Of pressing cares that hang vpon a Crowne My Lord of Pembrooke and Lord Salsbury Admit the Lord Shattilion to our presence That we may know what Philip King of Fraunce By his Ambassadors requires of vs. Q. Elinor Daâ—e lay my hand that Elinor can gesse Whereto this wâ—ightie Embassade doth tend 〈◊〉 of my Nephew Arthur and his claime Then say my Sonne I haue not mist my aime Enter Chattilion and the two Earles Iohn My Lord Chattilion welcome into England How fares our Brother Philip King of Fraunce Chatt His Highnes at my comming was in health And wild me to salute your Maiestie And say the message he hath giuen in charge Iohn And spare not man we are preparde to heare Chattilion Philip by the grace of God most Christian K. of France hauing taken into his guardain and protection Arthur Duke of Brittaine son heire to Ieffrey thine elder brother requireth in the behalfe of the said Arthur the Kingdom of England with the Lordship of Ireland Poiters Aniow Torain Main and I attend thine aunswere Iohn A small request belike he makes account That England Ireland Poiters Aniow Torain Main Are nothing for a King to giue at once I wonder what he meanes to leaue for me Tell Philip he may keepe his Lords at home With greater honour than to send them thus On Embassades that not concerne himselfe Or if they did would yeeld but small returne Chatilion Is this thine answere Iohn It is and too good an answer for so proud a message Chattilion Then King of England in my Masters name And in Prince Arthur Duke of Britaines name I doo defie chee as an Enemie And wish thee to prepare for bloodie warres Q. Elinor My Lord that stands vpon defiance thus Commend me to my Nephew tell the boy That I Queene Elianor his Grandmother Vpon my blessing charge him leaue his Armes Whereto his head-strong Mother pricks him so Her pride we know and know her for a Dame That will not sticke to bring him to his ende So she may bring her selfe to rule a Realme Next wish him to forsake the King of Fraunce And come to me and to his Vnckle here And he shall want for nothing at our hands Chattilion This shall I doo and thus I take my leaue Iohn Pembrooke conuay him safely to the sea But not in hast for as we are aduisde We meane to be in Fraunce as soone as he To fortesie such townes as we possesse In Aniou Torain and in Normandy Exâ—â— Enter the Shriue whispers the Earle of Sals in the 〈…〉 Salisbury Please it your Maiestie heere is the 〈◊〉 Northhamptonshire with certaine persons that of late â—â—mitted a riot and haue appealed to your Maiestie beseeâ—◠〈…〉 your Highnes for speciall cause to heare them Iohn Wil them come neere and while we heare the cause Goe Salsbury and make prouision We meane with speede to passe the sea to Fraunce Say Shrieue what are these men what haue they done Or wheretoo tends the course of this appeale Shrieue Please it your Maiestie these two brethren vnnaturally falling at odds about their Fathers liuing haue broken your Highnes peace in seeking to right their own wroÌ„gs without cause of Law or order of Iustice and vnlawfully assembled themselues in mutinous manner hauing committed a riot appealing from triall in their Countrey to your Highnes and here I Thomas Nidigate Shrieue of Northhamptonshire doo deliuer them ouer to their triall Iohn My Lord of Essex will the offenders to stand foorth and tell the cause of their quarrell Essex Gentlemen it is the Kings pleasure that you discouer your griefes douâ—â— not but you shall haue iustice Philip Please it your Maiestie the wrong is mine yet wil I abide all wrongs before I once open my mouth to vnrippe the shamefull slaunder of my parents the dishonour of myself the wicked dealing of my brother in this princely assembly Robert Then by my Prince his leaue shall Robert speake And tell your Maiestie what right I haue To offer wrong as he accounteth wrong My Father not vnknowen vnto your Grace Receiud his spurres of Knighthood in the Field At Kingly Richards hands in Palestine When as the walls of Acon gaue him way His name Sir Robert Fauconbridge of Mountbery What by succession from his Auncestours And warlike seruice vnder Englands Armes His liuing did amount too at his death Two thousand Markes reuenew euery yeare And this my Lord I challenge for my right As lawfull heire to Robert Fauconbridge Philip If first-borne sonne be heire indubitate By certaine right of Englands auncient Lawe How should myselfe make any other doubt But I am heire to Robert Fauconbridge Iohn Fond Youth to trouble these our Princely eares Or make a question in so plaine a case Speake is this man thine elder Brother borne Robert Please it your Grace with patience for to heare I not denie but he mine Elder is Mine elder Brother too yet in such sort As he can make no title to the Land Iohn A doubtfull tale as euer I did heare Thy Brother and thine elder and no heire Explaine this darke Aenigma Robert I graunt my Lord he is my mothers sonne Base borne and base begot no Fauconbridge Indeede the world reputes him lawfull heire My Father in his life did count him so And here my Mother stands to prooue
at thy foemans hand Pawne not thy life to get thy Fathers skin Blanch Well may the world speake of his knightly valor That winnes this hide to weare a Ladies fauour Bastard Ill â—ay I thriue and nothing brooke with mee If shortly I present it not to thee K. Philip Lordings forbeare fortune is comming fast That deedes may trie what words cannot determine And to the purpose for the cause you come Me seemes you set right in chaunce of warre Yeelding no other reasons for your claime But so and so because it shall be so So wrong shalbe subornd by trust of strength A Tyrants practize to inuest himselfe Where weake resistance giueth wrong the way To check the which in holy lawfull Armes I in the right of Arthur Geffreys Sonne Am come before this Citie of Angiers To barre all other false supposed clayme From whence or howsoere the error springs And in his quarrell on my Princely word Ile fight it out vnto the latest man Iohn Know King of Fraunce I will not be commaunded By any power or Prince in Christendome To yeeld an instance how I hold mine owne More than to answere that mine owne is mine But wilt thou see me parley with the Towne And heare them offer me alleageance Fealtie and homage as true liege men ought K. Philip Summon them I will not beleeue it till I see it and when I see it Ile soone change it They summon the Towne the Citizens appeare vpon the walls K. Iohn You men of Angiers and as I take it my loyall Subiects I haue summoned you to the walls to dispute on my right were to thinke you doubtfull therein which I am perswaded you are not In few words our Brothers Sonne backt with the King of Fraunce haue beleagred your Towne vpon a false pretended title to the same in defence whereof I your liege Lord haue brought our power to fence you from the Vsurper to free your intended seruitude and vtterly to supplant the foemen to my right your rest Say then who who keepe you the Towne for Citizen For our lawfull King John I was no lesse perswaded then in Gods name open your gates and let me enter Citizen And it please your Highnes we comptroll not your title neither will we rashly admit your entrance if you bee lawfull King with all obedience we keepe it to your vse if not King our rashnes to be impeached for yeelding without more considerate triall we answere not as men lawles but to the behoofe of him that prooues lawfull Iohn I shall not come in then Citizen No my Lord till we know more K. Philip Then heare me speake in the behalfe of Arthur Sonne of Geffrey elder Brother to Iohn his title manifest without contradiction to the Crowne and Kingdome of England with Angiers and diuers Townes on this side the sea will you acknowledge him your liege Lord who speaketh in my word to intertaine you with all fauours as bescemeth a King to his subiects or a friend to his wel-willers or stand to the perill of your contempt when his title is prooued by the sword Citizen We answere as before till you haue prooued one right we acknowledge none right he that tries himselfe our Soueraigne to him will we remaine firme subiects and for him and in his right we hold our Towne as desirous to know the truth as loath to subscribe before we knowe More than this we cannot say and more than this we dare not doo K. Philip Then Iohn I defâ—e thee in the name and behalfe of Arthur Plantaginet thy King and cousin whose right and patrimonie thou detainest as I doubt not ere the day ende in a set battell make thee confesse whereunto with a zeale to right I challenge thee K. Iohn I accept the challenge and turne the defiance to thy throate Excursions The Bastard chaseth Lymoges the Austrich Duke and maketh him leaue the Lyons skinne Bastard And art thou gone misfortune haunt thy steps And chill colde feare assaile thy times of rest Morpheus leaue here thy silent Eban caue Besiedge his thoughts with dismall fantasies And ghastly obiects of pale threatning Mors. Affright him euery minute with stearâ—e lookes Let shadowe temper terror in his thoughts And let the terror make the coward mad And in his madnes let him feare pursute And so in frenzie let the peasant die Here is the ransome that allayes his rage The first freehold that Richard left his sonne With which I shall surprize his liuing foes As Hectors statue did the fainting Greekes Exit Enter the Kings Herolds with Trumpets to the wals of Angiers they summon the Towne Eng. Herold Iohn by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Aniou Toraine c. demaundeth once againe of you his subiects of Angiers if you will quietly surrender vp the Towne into his hands Fr. Herold Philip by the grace of God King of Fraunce demaundeth in the behalfe of Arthur Duke of Britaine if you will surrender vp the Towne into his hands to the vse of the said Arthur Citizens Herrolds goe tell the two victorious Princes that we the poore Inhabitants of Angiers require a parle of their Matesties Herolds We goe Enter the Kings Queene Elianor Blaunch Bastard Lymoges Lowes Castilean Pembrooke Salisbury Constance and Arthur Duke of Britaine John Herold what answere doo the Townsmen send Philip Will Angiers yéeld to Philip King of Fraunce En. Her The Townsmen on the wals accept your Grace Fr. Her And craue a parley of your Maiestie Iohn You Citizens of Angiers haue your eyes Beheld the slaughter that our English bowes Haue made vpon the coward frawdfull French And haue you wisely pondred therewithall Your gaine in yeâ—lding to the English King Philip Their losse in yéelding to the English King But Iohn they saw from out their highest Towers The Cheualiers of Fraunce and crossebow shot Make lanes of slaughtred bodies through thine hoast And are resolude to yéelde to Arthurs right Iohn Why Philip though thou brauest it fore the walls Thy conscience knowes that Iohn hath wonne the field Philip What ere my conscience knows thy Armie feeles That Philip had the better of the day Bastard Philip indéede hath got the Lyons case Which here he holds to Lymoges disgrace Base Duke to flye and leaue such spoyles behinde But this thou knewst of force to make mée stay It farde with thée as with the marriner Spying the hugie Whale whose monstrous bulke Doth beare the waues like mountaines fore the winde That throwes out emptie vessels so to stay His furie while the ship doth saile away Philip tis thine and fore this Princely presence Madame I humbly lay it at your feete Being the first aduenture I atchieud And first exployt your Grace did enioyne Yet many more I long to be enioynd Blaunch Philip I take it and I thee commaund To weare the same as earst thy Father did Therewith receiue this fauour at my hands T'incourage thee to follow Richards fame Arthur
of France and al the Kings and Princes of Christendome to make war vppon this miscreant and whereas thou hast made a league with him and confirmed it by oath I doo in the name of our foresaid father the Pope acquit thée of that oath as vnlawful being made with an heretike how saist thou Philip doost thou obey Iohn Brother of Fraunce what say you to the Cardinall Philip I say I am sorrie for your Maiestie requesting you to submit your selfe to the Church of Rome John And what say you to our league if I doo not submit Philip What should I say I must obey the Pope Iohn Obey the Pope and breake your oath to God Philip The Legate hath absolude me of mine oath Then yeeld to Rome or I defie thée héere Iohn Why Philip I defie the Pope and thée False as thou art and periurde K. of Fraunce Vnworthie man to be accompted King Giu'st thou thy sword into a Prelates hands Pandulph where I of Abbots Monkes and Friers Haue taken somewhat to maintaine my warres Now will I take no more but all they haue Ile rowze the lazie lubbers from their Cells And in despight Ile send them to the Pope Mother come you with me and for the rest That will not follow Iohn in this attempt Confusion light vpon their damned soules Come Lords â—ight for your King that fighteth for your good Philip And are they gone Pandulph thy selfe shalt see How Fraunce will fight for Rome and Romish rytes Nobles to armes let him not passe the seas Lets take him captiue and in triumph lead The K. of England to the gates of Rome Arthur 〈◊〉 thee man and thou shalt see What Philip K. of Fraunce will doo for thee Blanche And will your Grace vpon your wedding day Forsake your Bride and follow dreadfull drums Nay good my Lord stay you at home with mee Lewes Sweete heart content thée and we shall agree Philip Follow me Lords Lord Cardynall lead the way Drums shalbe musique to this wedding day Exeunt Excursions The Bastard pursues Austria and kills him Bastard Thus hath K. Richards Sonne performe his vowes And offred Austrias bloud for sacrifice Vnto his fathers â—uerliuing soule Braue Cordelion now my heart doth say I haue deserude though not to be thy heire Yet as I am thy base begotten sonne A name as pleasing to thy Philips heart As to be cald the Duke of Normandie Lie there a pray to euery rauening fowle And as my Father triumpht in thy spoyles And trode thine Ensignes vnderneath his féete So doo I tread vpon thy cursed selfe And leaue thy bodie to the fowles for food Exit Excursions Arthur Constance Lewes hauing taken Q. Elianor prisoner Constance Thus hath the God of Kings with conquering arme Dispearst the foes to true succession Proud and disturber of thy Counâ—reyes peace Constance doth liue to came thine insolence And on thy head will now auenged be For all the mischiefes hatched in thy braine Q Elinor Contemptuous dame vnreuent Dutches thou To braue so great a Quéene as Elianor Base scolde hast thou forgot that I was wife And mother to three mightie English Kings I charge thée then and you forsooth sir Boy To set your Grandmother at libertie And yéeld to John your Vnckle and your King Constance Tis not thy words proud Queene shal carry it Elianor Nor yet thy threates proud Dame shal daunt my minde Arthur Sweete Grandaâ—e and good Mother leaue these brawles Elinor Ile finde a time to triumph in thy fall Constance My time is now to triumph in thy fall And thou shalt know that Constance will triumph Arthur Good Mother weigh it is Queene Elianor Though she be captiue vse her like herselfe Sweete Grandaâ—e beare with what my Mother sayes Your Highnes shalbe vsed honourably Enter a Messenger Mess Lewes my Lord Duke Arthur and the rest To armes in hast K. John relyes his men And ginnes the fight afresh and sweares withall To lose his life or set his Mother free Lewes Arthur away tis time to looke about Elianor Why how â—â—â—daine what is your courage coold Constance No Elianor my courage gathers strength And hopes to lead both John and thee as slaues And in that hope I hale thee to the field Exeunt Excursions Elianor is rescued by Iohn and Arthur is taken prisoner Exeunt Sound victorie Enter Iohn Elianor and Arthur Prisoner Bastard Pembrooke Salisbury and Hubert de Burgh Iohn Thus right triumphs and John triumphs in right thou seest Fraunce cannot bolster thee Thy Mothers pride hath brought thee to this fall But if at last Nephew thou yeeld thy selfe Into the gardance of thine Vnckle John Thou shalt be vsed as becomes a Prince Arthur Vnckle my Grandame taught her Nephew this To beare captiuitie with patience Might hath preuayld not right for I am King Of England though thou weare the Diadem Q. Elianor Sonne Iohn soone shall we teach him to forget These proud presumptions and to know himselfe Iohn Mother he neuer will forget his claime I would he liude not to remember it But leauing this we will to England now And take some order with our Popelings there That swell with pride and fat of lay mens lands Philip I make thee chiefe in this affaire Ransack the Abbeys Cloysters Priories Conuert their coyne vnto my souldiers vse And whatsoere he be within my Land That goes to Rome for iustice and for law While he may haue his right within the Realme Let him be iudgde a traitor to the State And suffer as an enemie to England Mother we leaue you here beyond the seas As Regent of our Prouinces in Fraunce While we to England take a speedie course And thanke our God that gaue vs victorie Hubert de Burgh take Arthur here to thee Be he thy prisoner Hubert kéepe him safe For on his life doth hang thy Soueraignes crowne But in his death consists thy Soueraignes blisse Then Hubert as thou shortly hearst from me So vse the prisoner I haue giuen in charge Hubert Frolick yong Prince though I your keeper bee Yet shall your kéeper liue at your commaund Arthur As please my God so shall become of me Q. Elianor My Sonne to England I will see thee shipâ— And pray to God to send thee safe ashore Bastard Now warres are done I long to be at home To diue into the Monkes and Abbots bags To make some sport among the smooth skin Nunnes And keepe some reuell with the fanzen Friers Iohn To England Lords each looke vnto your charge And arme yourselues against the Romane pride Exeunt Enter the K. of Fraunce Lewes his sonne Cardinall Pundolph Legate and Constance Philip What euery man attacht with this mishap Why frowne you so why droop ye Lords of Fraunce Me thinkes it differs from a warlike minde To lowre it for a checke or two of chaunce Had Lymoges escapt the bastards spight A little sorrow might haue serude our losse Braue Austria heauen ioyes to haue thee there Card. His sowle is safe and
your Grace I am King Richards Sonne Robert Robert reuiue thy heart let sorrow die His faltring tongue not suffers him to lie Mother What head-strong furie doth enchaunt my sonne Philip Philip cannot repent for he hath done Iohn Then Philip blame not me thy selfe hast lost By wilfulnesse thy liuing and thy land Robert thou art the heire of Fauconbridge God giue thee ioy greater than thy desert Q Elianor Why how now Philip giue away thine owne Philip Madame I am bold to make my selfe your nephew The poorest kinsman that your Highnes hath And with this Prouerb gin the world anew Help hands I haue no lands honour is my desire Let Philip liue to shew himselfe worthie so great a Sire Elinor Philip I think thou knewst thy Grandams minde But chéere thée boy I will not see thée want As long as Elinor hath foote of land Henceforth thou shalt be taken for my sonne And waite on me and on thine Vnckle heere Who shall giue honour to thy noble minde Iohn Philip kneele down that thou maist throughly know How much thy resolution pleaseth vs Rise vp Sir Richard Plantaginet K. Richards Sonne Phil. Graunt heauens that Philip once may shew himself Worthie the honour of Plantaginet Or basest glorie of a Bastards name Iohn Now Gentlemen we will away to France To checke the pride of Arthur and his mates Essex thou shalt be Ruler of my Realme And toward the maine charges of my warres Ile ceaze the lazie Abbey lubbers lands Into my hands to pay my men of warre The Pope and Popâ—liâ—gâ— shall not grease themselues With golde and groates that are the souldiers due Thus forward Lords let our commaund be done And march we forward mightely to Fraunce Exeunt Manet Philip and his Mother Philip Madame I â—eseech you deigne me so much leasure as the hearing of a matter that I long to impart to you Mother Whats the matter Philip. I thinke your sute in secret tends to some money matter which you suppose burns in the bottome of my chest Phil. No Madam it is no such sute as to beg or borrow But such a sute as might some other grant I would not now haue troubled you withall Mother A Gods name let vs heare it Philip Then Madame thus your Ladiship sees well How that my scandall growes by meanes of you In that report hath rumord vp and downe I am a bastard and no Fauconbridge This grose attaint so tilteth in my thoughts Maintaining combat to abridge my ease That field and towne and company alone Whatso I doo or wheresoere I am I cannot chase the slaunder from thy thoughts If it be true resolue me of my Sire For pardon Madame if I thinke amisse Be Philip Philip and no Fauconbridge His Father doubtles was as braue a man To you on knees as sometime Phaeton Mistrusting silly Merop for his Sire Strayning a little bashfull modestie I beg some instance whence I am extraught Mother Yet more adoo to haste me to my graue And wilt thou too become a Mothers crosse Must I accuse myself to close with you Slaunder myself to quiet your affects Thou mooust me Philip with this idle talke Which I remit in hope this mood will die Philip Nay Ladie mother heare me further yet For strong conceipt driues dutie hence awhile Your husband Fauconbridge was Father to that sonne That carries marks of Nature like the Sire The sonne that blotteth you with wedlocks breach And holds my right as lineall in discent From him whose forme was figured in his face Can Nature so dissemble in her frame To make the one so like as like may be And in the other print no character To chalenge any marke of true discent My brothers minde is base and too too dull To mount where Philip lodgeth his affects And his externall graces that you view Though I report it counterpoise not mine His constitution plaine debilitie Requires the chayre and mine the seate of steâ—le Nay what is he or what am I to him When any one that knoweth how to carpe Will scarcely iudge vs both one Countrey borne This Madame this hath droue me from myselfe And here by heauens eternall lampes I sweare As cursed Nero with his mother did So I with you if you resolue me not Mother Let mothers teares quench out thy angers fire And vrge no further what thou doost require Philip Let sonnes entreatie sway the 〈◊〉 now Or els she dies Ile not infringe my vow Mother Vnhappy taske must I recount my shame Blab my misdeedes or â—y concealing die Some power strike me speechlesse for a time Or take from him awhile his hearings vse Why wish I so vnhappy as I am The fault is mine and he the faultie frute I blush I faint oh would I might be mute Philip Mother be briefe I long to know my name Mother And longing dye to shrowd thy Mothers shame Philip Come Madame come you neede not be so loth The shame is shared equall twixt vs both Ist not a slacknes in me worthie blame To be so olde and cannot write my name Good Mother resolue me Mother Then Philip heare thy fortune and my griefe My honours losse by purchase of thy selfe My shame thy name and husbands secret wrong All maind and staind by youths vnruly sway And when thou knowest from whence thou art extraught Or if thou knewst what sutes what threates what feares To mooue by loue or massacre by death To yeeld wiâ—h loue or end by loues contempt The mightines of him that courted me Who tempred terror with his wanton talke That something may extenuate the guilt But let it not aduantage me so much Vpbraid me rather with the Romane Dame That shed her blood to wash away her shame Why stand I to expostulate the crime With pro contra now the déede is don When to conclude two words may tell the tale That Philips Father was a Princes Son Rich Englands rule words onely terror hee For honours losse left me with childe of thee Whose Sonne thou art then pardon me the rather For faire King Richard was thy noble Father Philip Then Robin Fauconbridge I wish thee ioy My Sire a King and I a landles Boy Gods Ladie Mother the world is in my debt There's something owing to Plantaginet I marrie Sir let me alone for game Ile act some wonders now I know my name By blessed Marie Ile not sell that pride For Englands wealâ—h and all the world beside Sit fast the proudest of my Fathers foes Away good Mother there the comfort goes Execunt Enter Philip the French King and Lewes Limoges Constance and her sonne Arthur King Now gin we broach the title of thy claime Yong Arthur in the Albion Territories Scaring proud Angiers with a puissant siedge Braue Austria cause of Cordelions death Is also come to aide thee in thy warres And all our Forces ioyne for Arthurs right And but for causes of great consequence Pleading delay till newes from England come Twice should not
Ye Citizens of Angiers are ye mute Arthur or Iohn say which shall be your King Citizen We care not which if once we knew the right But till we know we will not yeeld our right Bastard Might Philip counsell two so mightie Kings As are the Kings of England and of Fraunce He would aduise your Graces to vnite And knit your forces gainst these Citizens Pulling their battered walls about their eares The Towne once wonne then striue about the claime For they are minded to delude you both Citizen Kings Princes Lords Knights assembled here The Citizens of Angiers all by me Entreate your Maiestie to heare them speake And as you like the motion they shall make So to account and follow their aduice Iohn Philip. Speake on we giue thee leaue Citizen Then thus whereas that yong lustie knight Incites you on to knit your kingly strengths The motion cannot choose but please the good And such as loue the quiet of the State But how my Lords how should your strengths be kniâ— Not to oppresse your subiects and your friends And fill the world with brawles and mutinies But vnto peace your forces should be knit To liue in Princely league and amitie Doo this the gates of Angiers shall giue way And stand wide open to your harts content To make this peace a lasting bond of loue Remains one onely honorable meanes Which by your pardon I shall here display Lewes the Dolphin and the heire of Fraunce A man of noted valor through the world Is yet vnmaried let him take to wife The beauteous daughter of the King of Spaine Neere to K. Iohn the louely Ladie Blanche Begotten on his Sister Elianor With her in marriage will her vnckle giue Castles and Towers as fitteth such a match The Kings thus ioynd in league of perfect loue They may so deale with Arthur Duke of Britaine Who is but yong and yet vnmeete to raigne As he shall stand contented euerie way Thus haue I boldly for the common good Deliuered what the Citie gaue in charge And as vpon conditions you agree So shall we stand content to yeeld the Towne Arthur A proper peace if such a motion hold These Kings beare armes for me and for my right And they shall share my lands to make them friends Q. Elianor Sonne Iohn follow this motion as thou louest thy mother Make league with Philip yeeld to any thing Lewes shall haue my Neece and then be sure Arthur shall haue small succour out of Fraunce John Brother of Fraunce you heare the Citizens Then tell me how you meane to deale herein Constance Why John what canst thou giue vnto thy Neece That hast no foote of land but Arthurs right Lewes Byr Ladie Citizens I like your choyce A louely Damsell is the Ladie Blanche Worthie the heire of Europe for her pheere Constance What Kings why stand you gazing in a trance Why how now Lords accursed Citizens To fill and tickle their ambicious eares With hope of gaine that springs from Arthurs losse Some dismall Plannet at thy birthday raignd For now I see the fall of all thy hopes K. Philip Ladie and Duke of Britaine know you both The King of Fraunce respects his honor more Than to betray his friends and fauourers Princesse of Spaine could you affect my Sonne If we vpon conditions could agree Bastard Swounds Madam take an English Gentleman Slaue as I was I thought to haue mooude the match Grandame you made me halfe a promise once That Lady Blanch should bring me wealth inough And make me heire of store of English land Q. Elianor Peace Philip I will looke thee out a wife We must with pollicie compound this strife Bastard If Lewes get her well I say no more But let the frolicke Frenchman take no scorne If Philip front him with an English horne Iohn Ladie what answere make you to the King of France Can you affect the Dolphin for your Lord Blanch I thanke the King that likes of me so well To make me Bride vnto so great a Prince But giue me leaue my Lord to pause on this Least being too too forward in the cause It may be blemish to my modestie Q Elinor Sonne John and worthie Philip K. of Fraunce Doo you confer awhile about the Dower And I will schoole my modest Neece so well That she shall yéeld assoone as you haue done Constance I theres the wretch that broacheth all this ill Why flye I not vpon the Beldames face And with my nayles pull foorth her hatefull eyes Arthur Swéete Mother cease these hastie madding fits For my sake let my Grandame haue her will O would she with her hands pull forth my heart I could affoord it to appease these broyles But mother let vs wisely winke at all Least farther harmes ensue our hastie speach Philip Brother of England what dowrie wilt thou giue Vnto my Sonne in marriage with thy Neece Iohn First Philip knowes her dowrie out of Spaine To be so great as may content a King But more to mend and amplifie the same I giue in money thirtie thousand markes For land I leaue it to thine owne demaund Philip Then I demaund Volquesson Torain Main Poiters and Aniou these fiue Prouinces Which thou as King of England holdst in Fraunce Then shall our peace be soone concluded on Bastard No lesse than fiue such Prouinces at once Iohn Mother what shall I doo my brother got these lands With much effusion of our English bloud And shall I giue it all away at once Q. Elinor Iohn giue it him so shalt thou liue in peace And keepe the residue sanz ieopardie Ion Philip bring forth thy Sonne here is my Neece And here in mariage I doo giue with her From me and my Successors English Kings Volquesson Poiters Aniou Torain Main And thirtie thousand markes of stipend coyne Now Citizens how like you of this match Citizen We ioy to see so sweete a peace begun Lewes Lewes with Blanch shall euer liue content But now King Iohn what say you to the Duke Father speake as you may in his behalfe Philip K. Iohn be good vnto thy Nephewhere And giue him some what that shall please thee best John Arthur although thou troublest Englands peace Yet here I giue thee Brittaine for thine owne Together with the Earledome of Richmont And this rich Citie of Angiers withall Q. Elianor And if thou seeke to please thine Vnckle John Shalt see my Sonne how I will make of thee Iohn Now euery thing is sorâ—ed to this end Lets in and there prepare the mariage rytes Which in S. Maries Chappell presently Shalbe performed ere this Presence part Exeunt Maâ—ent Constance Arthur Arthur Madam good chcere these drouping languishmeÌ„tes Adde no redresse to salue our awkward haps If heauens haue concluded these euents To small auaile is bitter pensiuenes Seasons will change and so our present griefe May change with them and all to our reliefe Constance Ah boy thy yeares I sée are farre too greene To looke
into the bottome of-these cares But I who see the poyse that weigheth downe Thy weale my wish and all the willing meanes Wherewith thy fortune and thy fame should mount What ioy what ease what rest can lodge in me With whom all hope and hap doth disagree Arthur Yet Ladies teares and cares and solemne shows Rather than helpes heape vp more worke for woes Constance If any Power will heare a widdowes plaint That from a wounded soule implores reuenge Send fell contagion to infect this Clyme This cursed Countrey where the traytors breath Whose periurie as prowd Briareus Beleaguers all the Skie with misbeliefe He promist Arthur and he sware it too To fence thy right and check thy foemans pride But now black-spotted Periure as he is He takes a truce with Elnors damned brat And marries Lewes to her louely Neece Sharing thy fortune and thy birth-dayes gift Betweene these louers ill betide the match And as they shoulder thee from out thy owne And triumph in a widowes tearefull cares So heauens crosse them with a thriftles course Is all the bloud yspilt on either part Closing the cranies of the thirstie earth Growne to a louegame and a Bridall feast And must thy birthright hid the wedding banes Poore helples boy hopeles and helples too To whom misfortune seemes no yoke at all Thy stay thy state thy imminent mishaps Woundeth thy mothers thoughts with feeling care Why lookst thou pale the colour flyes thy face I trouble now the fountaine of thy yoâ—th And make it moodie with my doles discourse Goe in with me reply not louely boy We must obscure this mone with melodie Least worser wrack ensue our malecontent Exeunt Enter the King of England the King of Fraunce Arthur Bastard Lewes Lymoges Coâ—stance Blanche Chattilion Pembrooke Salisburie and Elianor Iohn This is the day the long desired day Wherein the Realmes of England and of Fraunce Stand highly blessed in a lasting peace Thrice happie is the Bridegroome and the Bride From whose sweete Bridale such a concord springs To make of mortall foes immortall friends Constance Vngodly peace made by an others warre Philip Vnhappie peace that ties thee from reuenge Rouse thée Plantaginet liue not to see The butcher of the great Plantiginet Kings Princes and ye Peeres of either Realmes Pardon my rashnes and forgiue the zeale That caries me in furie to a deede Of high desert of honour and of armes A boone O Kings a boone doth Philip beg Prostrate vpon his knee which knee shall cleaue Vnto the superficies of the earth Till Fraunce and England graunt this glorious boone Iohn Speake Philip England graunts thee thy request Philip And Fraunce confirmes what ere is in his power Bastard Then Duke sit fast I leuell at thy head Too base a ransome for my fathers life Princes I craue the Combat with the Duke That braues it in dishonor of my Sire Your words are past nor can you now reuerse The Princely promise that reuiues my soule Whereat me thinks I see his sinnews shake This is the boon dread Lords which granted once Or life or death are pleasant to my soule Since I shall liue and die in Richards right Lymoges Base Bastard misbegotten of a King To interrupt these holy nuptiall rytes With brawles and tumults to a Dukes disgrace Let it suffice I scorne to ioyne in fight With one so farre vnequall to my selfe Bastard A fine excuse Kings if you wilbe Kings Then keepe your words and let vs combat it Iohn Philip We cannot force the Duke to fight Being a subiect vnto neither Realme But tell me Austria if an English Duke Should dare thee thus wouldst thou accept the challendge Lymoges Els let the world account the Austrich Duke The greatest coward liuing on the Earth Iohn Then cheere thee Philip Iohn will keepe his word Kneele downe in sight of Philip King of Fraunce And all these Princely Lords assembled here I gird thee with the sword of Normandie And of that land I doo inuest thee Duke So shalt thou be in liuing and in land Nothing inferiour vnto Austria Lymoges K. Iohn I tell thee flatly to thy face Thou wrongst mine honour and that thou maist see How much I scorne thy new made Duke and thee I flatly say I will not be compeld And so farewell Sir Duke of low degree Ile finde a time to match you for this geere Exit Iohn Stay Philip let him goe the honors thine Bastard I cannot liue vnles his life be mine Q. Elianor Thy forwardnes this day hath ioyd my soule And made me thinke my Richard liues in thâ—â— K. Philip Lordings lets in and spend the wedding day In maskes and triumphs letting quarrells cease Enter a Cardynall from Rome Card. Stay King of France I charge thee ioyn not hands With him that stands accurst of God and men Know Iohn that I Pandulph Cardinall of Millaine and Legate from the Sea of Rome demaund of thee in the name of our holy Father the Pope Innocent why thou dost contrarie to the lawes of our holy mother the Church and our holye father the Pope disturbe the quiet of the Church and disanull the election of Stephen Langhton whom his Holines hath elected Archbishop of Canterburie this in his Holines name I demaund of thee Iohn And what hast thou or the Pope thy maister to doo to demaund of me how I employ mine owne Know sir Priest as I honour the Church and holy Churchmen so I scorne to be subiect to the greatest Prelate in the world Tell thy Maister so from me and say Iohn of England said it that neuer an Italian Priest of them all shall either haue tythe tole or poling penie out of England but as I am King so wil I raigne next vnder God supreame head both ouer spirituall and temrall and hee that contradicts me in this Ile make him hoppe headlesse K. Philip What King Iohn know you what you say thus to blaspheme against our holy father the Pope Iohn Philip though thou and all the Princes of Christendome suffer themselues to be abusde by a Prelates slauerie my minde is not of such base temper If the Pope will bee King in England let him winne it with the sword I know no other title he can alleage to mine inheritance Card. Iohn this is thine answere Iohn What then Card. Then I Pandulph of Padoa Legate from the Apostolik Sea doo in the name of S. Peter and his successor our holy Father Pope Innocent pronounce thee accursed discharging euery of thy subiectes of all dutie and fealtie that they doo owe to thee and pardon and forgiuenes of sinne to those or them whatsoeuer which shall carrie armes against thee or murder thee this I pronounce and charge all good men to abhorre thee as an excommunicate person Iohn So sir the more the Fox is curst the better a fares if God blesse me and my Land let the Pope and his shauelings curse and spare not Card. Furthermore I charge thée Philip King