The Author feems to have been fo thoroughly diffatisfied with this Play as to have written it al' most entirely anew, referving only a few of the Lines and the Conduct of feveral Scenes. It is faid to have been originally published in 1591 for Sampfon Clarke. The Edition publish'd in 1622 is no more than a Copy from this, for there is none more ancient than that in the Folio 1623, of the Play as it was afterwards alter'd by Shakespeare. Mr. Pope, in one of his Notes, affirms the old Play to have been written by Shakespeare and Rowley; but I find no mention of the Name of the latter before either of the Editions. THE Troublesome RAIGNE of KINGIOH N. Enter K. Iohn, Queene Elinor his Mother, William Marshall, Earle of Pembrooke, the Earles of Effex and of Salisbury. B Queen Elianor. Arons of England, and my noble lords; Though God and fortune haue bereft from vs. And clad this land in ftole of difmall hew: Yet giue me leaue to ioy, and ioy you all, K. John. My gratious mother queene, and barons all; As is the throne of mighty Englands king : 2. Elinor. Dare lay my hand that Elinor can gesse Whereto this weighty embaffade doth tend: If of my nephew Arthur and his claime, Enter Chattilion and the two Earles. • Iohn. My lord Chattilion, welcome into England: How fares our brother Philip king of Fraunce? Chat. His highneffe at my comming was in health, And will'd me to falute your maiestie, And fay the meffage he hath giuen in charge. John. And fpare not man, wee are preparde to heare. Chat. Philip, by the grace of God most christian king of France, hauing taken into his gardain and protection Arthur D. of Brittaine fonne and heire to Ieffrey thine elder brother, requireth in the behalfe of the faide Arthur, the kingdome of England, with the lordship of Ireland, Poiters, Aniow, Toraine, Maine: and I attend thine answer. John. A fmall request: belike hee makes account, That England, Ireland, Poiters, Aniow, Toraine, Maine, I wonder what he meanes to leaue for me. Or if they did, would yeeld but small returne. Ichn. It is, and too good an answer for fo prowd a message. Chat. Then king of England, in my masters name, And in prince Arthur duke of Brittaines name, I doe defie thee as an enemie, And wish thee to prepare for bloody warres. 2. Elinor. My lord (that ftands vpon defiance thus) Commend me to my nephew, tell the boy, That I queene Elianor (his grandmother) Vpon my bleffing charge him leaue his armes, And he shall want for nothing at our hands. We meane to be in France as foone as he, Exit Chatt. Enter the Shriue and whispers the Earle of Salif. in the eare. Salf. Please it your maiefty, here is the fhriue of Northhamptonfbire, with certaine perfons that of late committed a riot, and haue appeald to your maieftie, befeeching your highneffe for speciall caufe to heare them. John. Will them come neere, and while wee heare the cause, Goe Salbury and make prouifion, We meane with speed to passe the sea to France. Exit Salf. Say fhriue, what are these men, what haue they done? Or whereto tends the courfe of this appeale? Shriue. Please it your maiefty, these two brethren vnnaturally falling at odds about their fathers liuing, haue broken your highneffe peace, in feeking to right their owne wrongs without courfe of lawe, or order of iuftice, and vnlawfully affembled thefelues in mutinous maner, hauing committed a riot, appealing from triall in their country to your highnes : and here I Thomas Nidigate fhriue of Northamptonshire do deliuer them ouer to their triall. VOL. II. Ichn. Iohn. My lord of Effex, wil thoffenders to stand forth, and tell the cause of their quarrell. Effex. Gentlemen, it is the kings pleasure that you discouer your griefs, and doubt not but you fhal haue iuftice. Phil. Please it your M. the wrong is mine: yet will I abide all wrongs, before I once open my mouth t'varip the shamefull flander of my parents, the dishonor of my self, and the bad dealing of my brother in this princely assemblie. Robert. Then, by my prince his leaue, fhall Robert speake, Two thousand markes reuenew euery yeare: Philip. If firft-borne fonne be heire indubitate Ichn. Fond youth, to trouble these our princely eares, Or make a question in so plaine a cafe : Speake, is this man thine elder brother borne ? Robert. Please it your grace with patience for to heare, I not deny but he mine elder is, Mine elder brother too: yet in fuch fort, As he can make no title to the land. |