him so But I my Lord can prooue and doo â—uerâ—e Both to my Mothers shame and his reproach He is no heire nor yet legitimate Then gracious Lord let Fauconbridge enioy The liuing that belongs to Fauconbridge And let not him possesse anothers right Iohn Proue this the land is thine by Englands law Q. Elianor Vngracious youth to â—ip thy mothers shame The wombe from whence thou didst thy being take All honest eares abhorre thy wickednes But gold I see doth beate downe natures law Mother My gracious Lord you thrice reuerend Dame That see the teares distilling from mine eyes And scalding sighes blowne from a rented heart For honour and regard of womanhood Let me entreate to be commaunded hence Let not these eares receiue the hissing sound Of such a viper who with poysoned words Doth masserate the bowels of my soule Iohn Ladie stand vp be patient for a while And fellow say whose bastard is thy brother Philip Not for my selfe nor for my mother now But for the honour of so braue a Man Whom he accuseth with adulterie Here I beseech your Grace vpon my knees To count him mad and so dismisse vs hence Robert Nor mad nor mazde but well aduised I Charge thee before this royall presence here To be a Bastard to King Richards self Sonne to your Grace and Brother to your Maiestie Thus bluntly and Elianor Yong man thou néedst not be ashamed of thy kin Nor of thy Sire But forward with thy proofe Robert The proofe so plaine the argument so strong As that your Highnes and these noble Lords And all saue those that haue no eyes to see Shall sweare him to be Bastard to the King First when my Father was Embassadour In Germanie vnto the Emperour The King lay often at my Fathers house And all the Realme suspected what befell And at my Fathers back returne agen My Mother was deliuered as tis sed Sixe weekes before the account my Father made But more than this looke but on Philips face His features actions and his lineaments And all this Princely presence shall confesse He is no other but King Richards Sonne Then gracious Lord rest he King Richards Sonne And let me rest safe in my Fathers right That am his rightfull sonne and onely heire Iohn Is this thy proofe and all thou hast to say Robert I have no more nor néede I greater proofe John First where thou saidst in absence of thy Sire My Brother often lodged in his house And what of that base groome to slaunder him That honoured his Embassador so much In absence of the man to cheere the wife This will not hold proceede vnto the next Q. Elinor Thou saist she téemde six wéeks before her time Why good Sir Squire are you so cunning growen To make account of womens reckonings Spit in your hand and to your other proofes Many mischaunces hap in such affaires To make a woman come before her time Iohn And where thou saist he looketh like the King In action feature and proportion Therein I holde with thée for in my life I neuer saw so liuely counterfet Of Richard Cordelion as in him Robert Then good my Lord be you indifferent Iudge And let me haue my liuing and my right Q Elinor Nay heare you Sir you runne away too fast Know you not Omne simile non est idem Or haue read in Harke ye good sir Tâ—was thus I warrant and no otherwise She lay with Sir Robert your Father and thought vppon King Richard my Sonne and so your Brother was formed in this fashion Robert Madame you wrong me thus to iest it out I craue my right King Iohn as thou art King So be thou iust and let me haue my right Iohn Why foolish boy thy proofes are friuolous Nor canst thou chalenge any thing thereby But thou shalt see how I will helpe thy claime This is my doome and this my doome shall stand Irreuocable as I am King of England For thou knowst not weele aske of them that know His mother and himselfe shall ende this strife And as they say so shall thy liuing passe Robert My Lord herein I chalenge you of wrong To giue away my right and put the doome Vnto themselues Can there be likelihood That she will loose Or he will giue the liuing from himselfe It may not be my Lord. Why should it be Iohn Lords keepe him back and let him heare the doome Essex first aske the Mother thrice who was his Sire Essex Ladie Margaret Widow of Fauconbridge Who was Father to thy Sonne Philip Mother Please it your Maiestie Sir Robert Fauconbridge Robert This is right aske my felow there if I be a thiefe Iohn Aske Philip whose Sonne he is Essex Philip who was thy Father Philip Maâ— my Lord and thats a question and you had not taken some paines with her before I should haue desired you to aske my Mother Iohn Say who was thy Father Philip Faith my Lord to answere you sure he is my father that was néerest my mother when I was gotten him I thinke to be Sir Robert Fauconbridge Iohn Essex for fashions sake demaund agen And so an ende to this contention Robert Was euer man thus wrongd as Robert is Essex Philip speake I say who was thy Father Iohn Yong man how now what art thou in a traunce Elianor Philip awake the man is in a dreame Philip Philippus atauis aâ—dite Regibus What saist thou Philip sprung of auncient Kings Quo me rapit tempestas What winde of honour blowes this furie forth Or whence proeede these fumes of Maiestie Me thinkes I heare a hollow Eccho sound That Philip is the Sonne vnto a King The whistling leaues vpon the trembling trees Whistle in consort I am Richards Sonne The bubling murmur of the waters fall Records Philippus Regius filius Birds in their flight make musicke with their wings Filling the ayre with glorie of my birth Birds bubbles leaues and mountaines Eccho all Ring in mine eares that I am Richards Sonne Fond man ah whether art thou carried How are thy thoughts ywrapt in Honors heauen Forgetfull what thou art and whence thou camst Thy Fathers land cannot maintaine these thoughts These thoughts are farre vnfitting Fauconbridge And well they may for why this monnting minde Doth soare too high to stoupe to Fauconbridge Why how now knowest thou where thou art And knowest thou who expects thine answere here Wilt thou vpon a frantick madding vaine Goe loose thy land and say thy selfe base borne No keepe thy land though Richard were thy Sire What ere thou thinkst say thou art Fauconbridge John Speake man be sodaine who thy Father was Philip Please it your Maiestie Sir Robert Philip that Fauconbridge cleaues to thy iawes It will not out I cannot for my life Say I am Sonne vnto a Fauconbridge Leâ— land and liuing goe tis honors fire That makes me sweare King Richard was my Sire Base to a King addes title of more State Than Knights begotten though legittimate Please it
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
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
Titan hide him in the West To coole the fet-locks of his wearie teame Till I had with an vnresisted shock Controld the mannage of proud Angiers walls Or made a forfet of my fame to Chaunce Constance May be that Iohn in conscience or in feare To offer wrong where you impugne the ill Will send such calme conditions backe to Fraunce As shall rebate the edge of fearefull warres If so forbearance is a deede well done Arthur Ah Mother possession of a Crowne is mucâ— And Iohn as I haue heard reported of For present vantage would aduenture farre The world can witnes in his Brothers time He tooke vpon him rule any almost raigne Then must it follow as a doubtfull poynt That hee â—eresigne the rule vnto his Nephew I rather thinke the menace of the world Sounds in his eares as threats of no estéeme And sooner would he scorne Europaes power Than loose the smallest title he enioyes For questionles he is an Englishman Lewes Why are the English péereles in compare Braue Caualiers as ere that Iland bred Haue liude and dyde and darde and done inough Yet neuer gracde their Countrey for the cause England is England yéelding good and bad And John of England is as other Iohns Trust me yong Arthur if thou like my réede Praise thou the French that helpe thee in this neede Lymoges The Englishman hath little cause I trow To spend good speaches on so proud a foe Why Arthur heres his spoyle that now is gon Who when he liude outroude his Brother Iohn But hastie curres that lie so long to catch Come halting home and meete their ouermatch But newes comes now heres the Embassadour Enter Chattilion K Philip And in good time welcome my Lord Chattilion What newes will Iohn accord to our commaund Chattilion Be I not briefe to tell your Highnes all He will approach to interrupt my tale For one selfe bottome brought vs both to Fraunce He on his part will try the chaunce of warre And if his words inferre assured truth Will loose himselfe and all his followers Ere yéeld vnto the least of your demaunds The Mother Quéene she taketh on amaine Gainst Ladie Constance counting her the cause That doth effect this claime to Albion Coniuring Arthur with a Grandames care To leaue his Mother willing him submit His state to Iohn and her protection Who as she saith are studious for his good More circumstance the season intercepts This is the summe which briefly I haue showne K. Phil. This bitter winde must nip some bodies spring Sodaine and briefe why so tis haruest weather But say Chattilion what persons of accompt are with him Chattilion Of England Earle Pembrooke and Salsbury The onely noted men of any name Next them a Bastard of the Kings deceast A hardy wilde head tough and venturous With many other men of high resolue Then is there with them Elinor Mother Queene And Blanch her Néece daughter to the King of Spaine These are the prime Birds of this hot aduenture Enter Iohn his followers Queene Bastard Earles c. K. Philip Me seemeth Iohn an ouer-daring spirit Effecte some frenzie in thy rash approach Treading my Confines with thy armed Troupes I rather lookt for some submisse reply Touching the claime thy Nephew Arthur makes To that which thou vniustly dost vsurpe K Iohn For that Chattilion can discharge you all I list not plead my Title with my tongue Nor came I hether with intent of wrong To Fraunce or thee or any right of thine But in defence and purchase of my right The Towne of Angiers which thou doost begirt In the behalfe of Ladie Constance Sonne Wheretoo nor he nor she can lay iust claime Constance Yes false intruder if that iust be iust And headstrong vsurpation put apart Arthur my Sonne heire to thy elder Brother Without ambiguous shadow of discent Is Soueraigne to the substance thou withholdst Q Elinor Misgouernd Gossip staine to this resort Occasion of these vndecided iarres I say that know to check thy vaine suppose Thy Sonne hath naught to doo with that he claymes For proofe whereof I can inferre a Will That barrâ—s the way he vrgeth by discent Constance A Will indéede a crabbed Womans will Wherein the Diuell is an ouerséer And proud dame Elnor sole Executresse More wills than so on perill of my soule Were neuer made to hinder Arthurs right Arthur But say there was as sure there can be none The law intends such testaments as voyd Where right discent can no way be impeacht Q Elinor Peace Arthur peace thy mother makes thee wings To soare with perill after Icarus And trust me yongling for the Fathers sake I pitie much the hazard of thy youth Constance Beshrew you els how pitifull you are Readie to weepe to heare him aske his owne Sorrow betide such Grandames and such griefe That minister a poyson for pure loue But who so blinde as cannot see this beame That you forsooth would kéepe your cousin downe For feare his Mother should be vsde too well I theres the griese confusion catch the braine That hammers shifts to stop a Princes raigne Q. Elianor Impatient frantike common slanderer Immodest Dame vnnurtred quarreller I tell thée I not enuie to thy Son But iustice makes me speake as I haue don K. Philip But heres no proof that showes your son a King K. Iohn What wants my sword shal more at large set down Lewes But that may breake before the truth be knowne Bastard Then this may hold till all his right be showne Lymoges Good worâ—s sir sauce your betters are in place Bastard Not you sir doughtie with your Lions case Blanch Ah ioy betide his soule to whom that spoile beloÌ„gd Ah Richard how thy glorie hate is wrongd Lymoges Me 〈…〉 pride Richards fall Should be a president t'affright you all Bastard What words are these how doo my sinews shake My Fathers foe clad in my Fathers spoyle A thousand furies kindle with reuendge This hart that choller keepes a consistorie Searing my inwards with a brand of hate How doth Alecte whisper in mine eares Delay not Philip kill the villaine straight Disrobe him of the matchles moniment Thy Fathers triumph ore the Sauages Base heardgroome coward peasant worse than a threshing slaue What makst thou with the Trophei of a King Shamsâ— thou not coystrell loathsome dunghill swad To grace thy carkasse with an ornament Too precious for a Monarchs couerture Scarce can I temper due obedience Vnto the pâ—esence of my Soueraigne From acting outrage on this trunke of hate But arme thee traytor wronger of renowme For by his soule I sweare my Fathers soule Twice will I not review the Mornings rise Till I haue torne that Trophei from thy back And split thy heart for wearing it so long Philip hath sworne and if it be not done Let not the world repute me Richards Sonne Lymoges Nay soft sir Bastard harts are not split so soone Let them reioyce that at the ende doo win And take this lesson
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
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
free from Purgatorie Our holy Father hath dispenst his sinnes The blessed Saints haue heard our orisons And all are Mediators for his soule And in the right of these most holy warres His holines free pardon doth pronounce To all that follow you gainst English heretiques Who stand accursed in our mother Church Enter Constance alone Philip To aggrauate the measure of our griefe All malcontent comes Constance for her Sonne Be briefe good Madame for your face imports A tragick â—ale behinde thats yet vntolde Her passions stop the organ of her voyce Deepe sorrow throbbeth misbefalne euents Out with it Ladie that our Act may end A full Catastrophe of sad laments Const My tongue is tunde to storie forth mishap When did I breath to tell a pleasing tale Must Constance speake let teares preuent her talke Must I discourse let Didâ— sigh and say She weepes againe to heare the wrack of Troy Two words will serue and then my tale is done Elâ—ors proud brat hath robd me of my Sonne Leweâ— Haue patience Madame this is chaunce of warre He may be ransomde we reuenge his wrong Constance Beit â—er so soone I shall not liue so long Philip Despaire not yet come Constance goe with me These clowdes will fleet the day will cleare againe Exeunt Card. Now Lewes thy fortune buds with happie spring Our holy Fathers prayers effecteth this Arthur is safe let Iohn alone with him Thy title next is fairst to Englands Crowne Now stirre thy Father to begin with John The Pope sayes I and so is Albiox thine Lewes Thankes my Lord Legate for your good conceipt Tis best we follow now the game is faire My Father wants to worke him your good words Card. A few will serue to forward him in this Those shal not want but lets about it then Exeunt Enter Philip leading a Frier charging him to show where the Abbots golde lay Philip Come on you fat Franciscans dallie no longer but shew me where the Abbots treasure lyes or die Frier Benedicamus Domini was euer such an iniurie Sweete S. Withold of thy lenitie defend vs from extremitie And heare vs for S. Charitie oppressed with austeritie In nomini Domini make I my homilie Gentle Gentilitie griene not the Cleargie Philip Grey gownd good face coniure ye nâ—r trust me for a groate If this waste girdle hang thee not that girdeth in thy coate Now balde and barefoote Bungie birds when vp the gallowes climing Say Philip he had words inough to put you downe with ryming Frier A pardon Oparce Saint Fraunces for mercie Shall shield thee from nightspells and dreaming of diuells If thou wilt forgiue me and neuer more grieue me With fasting and praying and Haile Marie saying From black Purgatorie a penance right sorie Frier Thomas will warme you It shall neuer harme you Philip Come leaue off your rabble Sirs hang vp this lozell 2. Frier For charitie I beg his life Saint Frauncis chiefest Frier The best in all our Couent Sir to keepe a Wintersster O strangle not the good olde man my hostesse oldest guest And I will bring you by and by vnto the Priors chest Philip I saist thou so if thou wilt the frier is at libertie If not as I am honest man Ile hang you both for companie Frier Come hether this is the chest though simple to behold That wanteth not a thousand pound in siluer and in gold Myselfe will warrant full so much I know the Abbots store Ile pawne my life there is no lesse to haue what ere is more Philip I take thy word the ouerplus vnto thy share shall come But if there want of full so much thy neck shall pay the sum Breake vp the Cofer Frier Frier Oh I am vndun faire Alice the Nun Hath tooke vp her rest in the Abbots chest Sancte benedicite pardon my simplicitie Fie Alice confession will not salue this transgression Philip What haue wee here a holy Nun So kéepe mee God in health A smooth facte Nunne for ought I knowe is all the Abbots wealth Is this the Noâ—ries chastitie Beshrewe me but I thinke They goe as oft to Venery as niggards to their drinke Why paltrey Frier and Pandar too yee shamelesse shauen crowne Is this the chest that held a hoord at least a thousand pound And is the hoord a holy whore Wel be the hangman nimble Hee'le take the paine to paye you home and teach you to dissemble Nunne O spare the Frier Anthony a better neuer was To sing a Dirige solemnly or read a morning Masse If money be the meanes of this I know an ancient Nunne That hath a hoord this seauen yeares did neuer sée the sunne And that is yours and what is ours so fauour now be shown You shall commaund as commonly as if it were your owne Frier Your honour excepted Nunne I Thomas I meane so Philip From all saue from Friers Nunne Good Sir doo not thinke so and you Frier Laurence remember your raunsome a hundred pound and a pardon for your selfe and the rest come on Sir Prophet you shall with me to receiue a Prophets rewarde Exeunt Enter Hubert de Burgh with three men Hubert My masters I haue shewed you what warrant I haue for this attempt I perceiue by your heauie countenances you had rather be otherwise imployed and for my owne part I would the King had made choyce of some other executioner onely this is my comfort that a King commaunds whose precepts neglected or omitted threatneth torture for the default Therefore in briefe leaue me and be readie to attend the aduenture stay within that entry and when you heare me crie God saue the King issue sodainly foorth lay handes on Arthur set him in this chayre wherin once fast bound leaue him with me to finish the rest Attendants We goe though loath Exeunt Hubert My Lord will it please your Honour to take the benefite of the faire euening Enter Arthur to Hubert de Burgh Arthur Gramttcie Hubert for thy care of me In or to whom restraint is newly knowen The ioy of walking is small beueâ—â—â— Yet will I take thy offer with small thankes I would not loose the pleasure of the eye But tell me curteous keeper if you can How long the King will haue me tarrie heere Hubert I know not Prince but as I gesse not long God send you freedome and God saue the King They issue forth Arthur Why how now sirs what may this outrage meane O helpe me Hubert gentle keeper helpe God send this sodaine mutinous approach Tend not to reaue a wretched guiltles life Hubert So sirs depart and leaue the rest for me Arthur Then Arthur yeeld death frowneth in thy face What meaneth this Good Hubert plead the case Hubert Patience yong Lord and listen words of woe Harmfull and harsh hells horror to be heard A dismall tale fit for a furies tongue I faint to tell déepe sorrow is the sound Arthur What must I die Hubert No newes of death but tidings
cloystred Nunnes Are all in health and were my Lord in wealth Till I had tythde and tolde their holy boords I doubt not when your Highnes sees my prize You may proportion all their former pride Iohn Why so now sorts it Philip as it should This small intrusion into Abbey trunkes Will make the Popelings excommunicate Curse ban and breath out damned orisons As thick as hailestones fore the springs approach But yet as harmles and without effect As is the eccho of a Cannons crack Dischargd against the battlements of heauen But what newes els befell there Philip Bastard Strange newes my Lord within your territories Nere Pomfret is a Prophet new sprong vp Whose diuination volleys wonders foorth To him the Commons throng with Countrey gifts He sets a date vnto the Beldames death Prescribes how long the Virgins state shall last Distinguisheth the moouing of the heauens Giues limits vnto holy nuptiall rytes Foretelleth famine aboundeth plentie forth Of fate of fortune life and death he chats With such assurance scruples put apart As if he knew the certaine doomes of heauen Or kept a Register of all the Destinies Iohn Thou telst me meruailes would thou hadst brought the man We might haue questiond him of things to come Bastard My Lord I tooke a care of had I wist And brought the Prophet with me to the Court He stayes my Lord but at the Presence doore Pleaseth your Highnes I will call him in Iohn Nay stay awhile wée'l haue him here anon A thing of weight is first to be performd Enter the Nobles and crowne King Iohn and then crie God saue the King Iohn Lordings and friends supporters of our state Admire not at this vnaccustomd course Nor in your thoughts blame not this déede of yours Once ere this time was I inuested King Your fealtie sworne as Liâ—gmen to our state Once since that time ambicious wéedes haue sprung To staine the beautie of our garden plot But heauens in our conduct rooting thence The false intruders breakers of worlds peace Haue to our ioy made Sunshine chase the storme After the which to try your constancie That now I see is worthie of your names We craude once more your helps for to inuest vs Into the right that enuie sought to wrack Once was I not deposde your former choyce Now twice béen crowned and applauded King Your cheered action to install me so Infers assured witnes of your loues And binds me ouer in a Kingly care To render loue with loue rewards of worth To ballance downe requitall to the full But thankes the while thankes Lordings to you all Aske me and vse me try me and finde me yours Essex A boon my Lord at vauntage of your words We aske to guerdon all our loyalties Pembrooke We take the time your Highnes bids vs aske Please it you graunt you make your promise good With lesser losse than one superfluous haire That not remembred falleth from your head Iohn My wordis past receiue your boone my Lords What may it be Aske it and it is yours Essex We craue my Lord to please the Commons with The libertie of Ladie Constance Sonne Whose durance darkeneth your Highnes right As if you kept him prisoner to the end Your selfe were doubtfull of the thing you haue Dismisse him thence your Highnes néedes not feare Twice by consent you are proclaimd our King Pembrooke This if you graunt were all vnto your good For simple people muse you keepe him close Iohn Your words haue searcht the center of my thoughts Confirming warrant of your loyalties Dismisse your couusell sway my state Let John doo nothing but by your consents Why how now Philip what extasie is this Why casts thou vp thy eyes to heauen so There the fiue Moones appeare Bastard See see my Lord strange apparitions Glauncing mine eye to see the Diadem Placte by the Bishops on your Highnes head From foorth a gloomie cloude which curtaine like Displaide it selfe I sodainly espied Fiue Moones reflecting as you sée them now Euen in the moment that the Crowne was placte Gan they appeare holding the course you see Iohn What might portend these apparitions Vnvsuall signes forerunners of euent Presagers of strange terror to the world Beleeue me Lords the obiect feares me much Philip thou toldst me of me of Wizzard late Fetch in the man to descant of this show Pembrooke The heauens frowne vpon the sinfull earth When with prodigious vnaccustomd signes They spot their superficies with such wonder Essex Before the ruines of Ierusalem Such Meteors were the Ensignes of his wrath That hastned to destroy the faultfull Towne Enter the Bastard with the Prophet Iohn Is this the man Bastard It is my Lord. Iohn Prophet of Pomfret for so I heare thou art That calculatst of many things to come Who by a power repleate with heauenly gift Canst blab the counsell of thy Makers will If famâ— be true or truth be wrongd by thee Decide in cyphering what these fiue Moones Portend this Clyme if they presage at all Breath out thy gift and if I liue to see Thy diuination take a true effect Ile honour thee aboue all earthly men Peter The Skie wherein these Moones haue residence Presenteth Rome the great Metropolis Where sits the Pope in all his holy pompe Fowre of the Moones present fowre Prouinces To wit Spaine Denmarke Germanie and Fraunce That beare the yoke of proud commaunding Rome And stand in feare to tempt the Prelates curse The smallest Moone that whirles about the rest Impatient of the place he holds with them Doth figure foorth this Iland Albion Who gins to scorne the Sea and State of Rome And seekes to shun the Edicts of the Pope This showes the heauen and this I doo auerre Is figured in these apparitions Iohn Why then it seemes the heauens smile on vs Giuing applause for leauing of the Pope But for they chaunce in our Meridian Doo they effect no priuate growing ill To be inflicted on vs in this Clyme Peter The Moones effect no more than what I said But on some other knowledge that I haue By my prescience ere Ascension day Haue brought the Sunne vnto his vsuall height Of Crowne Estate and Royall dignitie Thou shalt be cleane dispoyld and dispossest Iohn False Dreamer perish with thy witched newes Villaine thou woundst me with thy fallacies If it be true dye for thy tidings price If false for fearing me with vaine suppose Hence with the Witch hells damned secretarie Lock him vp sure for by my faith I sweare True or not true the Wizzard shall not liue Before Ascension day who should be cause hereof Cut off the cause and then the effect will dye Tut tut my mercie serues to maime my selfe The roote doth liue from whence these thornes spring vp I and my promise past for his deliury Frowne friends faile faith the diuell goe withall The brat shall dye that terrifies me thus Pembrooke and Essex I recall my graunt I will not buy your fauours with my
feare Nay murmur not my will is law enough I loue you well but if I loude you better I would not buy it with my discontent Enter Hubert How now what newes with thee Hubert According to your Highnes strickt commaund Yong Arthurs eyes are blinded and extinct John Why so then he may feele the crowne but neuer sée it Hubert Nor see nor féele for of the extreame paine Within one hower gaue he vp the Ghost John What is he dead Hubert He is my Lord. Iohn Then with him dye my cares Essex Now ioy betide thy soule Pembrooke And heauens reuenge thy death Essex What haue you done my Lord Was euer heard A deede of more inhumane consequence Your foes will curse your friends will crie reuenge Vnkindly rage more rough than Northern winde To chip the beautie of so sweete a flower What hope in vs for mercie on a fault When kinsman dyes without impeach of cause As you haue done so come to chéere you with The guilt shall neuer be cast me in my teeth Exeunt Iohn And are you gone The diuell be your guide Proud Rebels as you are to braue me so Saucie vnciuill checkers of my will Your tongues giue edge vnto the fatall knife That shall haue passage through your traitrous throats But husht breath not buggs words to soone abroad Least time preuent the issue of thy reach Arthur is dead I there the corzie growes But while he liude the danger was the more His death hath freed me from a thousand feares But it hath purchast me ten times ten thousand foes Why all is one such luck shall haunt his game To whome the diuell owes an open shame His life a foe that leueld at my crowne His death a frame to pull my building downe My thoughts harpt still on quiet by his end Who liuing aymed shrowdly at my roome But to preuent that plea twice was I crownd Twice did my subiects sweare me fealtie And in my conscience loude me as their liege In whose defence they would haue pawnd their liues But now they shun me as a Serpents sting A tragick Tyrant sterne and pitiles And not a title followes after Iohn But Butcher bloudsucker and murtherer What Planet gouernde my natiuitie To bode me soueraigne types of high estate So interlacte with hellish discontent Wherein fell furie hath no interest Curst be the Crowne chiefe author of my care Nay curst my will that made the Crowne my care Curst be my birthday curst ten times the wombe That yeelded me aliue into the world Art thou there villaine Furies haunt thee still For killing him whom all the world laments Hubert Why heres my Lord your Highnes hand scale Charging on liues regard to doo the deede John Ah dull conceipted peazant knowst thou not It was a damned execrable deede Showst me a seale Oh villaine both our soules Haue solde their freedome to the thrall of hell Vnder the warrant of that cursed seale Hence villaine hang thy selfe and say in hell That I am comming for a kingdome there Hubert My Lord attend the happie tale I tell For heauens health send Sathan packing hence That instigates your Highnes to despaire If Arthurs death be dismall to be heard Bandie the newes for rumors of vntruth He liues my Lord the sweetest youth aliue In health with eysight not a haire amisse This hart tooke vigor from this forward hand Making it weake to execute your charge Iohn What liues he Then sweete hope come home agen Chase hence despâ—ire the purueyer for hell Hye Hubert tell these tidings to my Lords That throb in passions for yong Arthurs death Hence Hubert stay not till thou hast reueald The wished newes of Arthurs happy health I goe my selfe the ioyfulst man aliue To storie out this new supposed crime Exeunt The ende of the first part