P.977

THE

LIFE

AND

DEATH

O F

King FOHN.

Printed in the YEAR 1709.

K Ing John.

Prince Henry, Son to the King.

Arthur, Duke of Bretaign, and Nephew to the

King.

Bigot,

Faulconbridge, Bastard-Son to Richard the First. Robert Faulconbridge, fuppos'd Brother to the Baftard.

James Gurney, Servant to the Lady Faulconbridge. Peter of Pomfret, a Prophet.

Philip, King of France.
Lewis, the Dauphin.

Arch-Duke of Austria.

Pandulpho, the Pope's Legate.

Melun, a French Lord.

Chattilion, Ambassador from France to King John

Elinor, Queen-Mother of England.
Conftance, Mother to Arthur.

Blanch, Daughter to Alphonfo King of Caftile, and Neice to King John.

Lady Faulconbridge, Mother to the Baftard and Robert Faulconbridge.

Citizens of Angiers, Heralds, Executioners, MefJengers, Soldiers, and other Attendants.

The SCENE fometimes in England, and Sometimes in France.

THE

THE

LIFE and DEATH

OF.

King JOHN.

ACT I. SCENE I.

Enter King John, Queen Elinor, Pembroke, Effex, and Salisbury, with Chattilion.

King JOHN.

OW fay, Chattilion, what would France with us?

Chat. Thus, after greeting, fpeaks the King of France

In my Behaviour to the Majefty,

The borrow'd Majefty of England here.

Eli. A ftrange Beginning; borrow'd Majefly!
K. John. Silence, good Mother, hear the Émbaffie.
Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf

Of thy deceased Brother Geffrey's Son,
Arthur Plantagenet, lays moft lawful Claim
To this fair Illand, and the Territories:

To Ireland, Poytiers, Anjou, Tonaine, Maine,
VOL. III.

Ba

Defiring

Defiring thee to lay afide the Sword
Which fways ufurpingly thefe feveral Titles,
And put the fame into young Arthur's Hand,
Thy Nephew, and right Royal Soveraign.

K. John. What follows, if we difallow of this?
Chat. The proud Control of fierce and bloody War,
To inforce thefe Rights fo forcibly with-held.

K. John. Here have we War for War, and Blood for Blood, Controlment for Controlment; fo answer France.

Chat. Then take my King's Defiance from my Mouth, The fartheft limit of my Embaffie.

K. John. Bear mine to him, and fo depart in Peace.
Be thou as Lightning in the Eyes of France;
For e'er thou canft report, I will be there,
The Thunder of my Cannon fhall be heard.
So hence; be thou the Trumpet of our Wrath,
And fullen Prefage of your own decay:

An honourable Conduct let him have,

Pembroke look to't; farewel Chattilion. [Exit Chat. and Pem.
Eli. What now, my Son, have I not ever faid
How that Ambitious Conftance would not ceafe
'Til fhe had kindled France and all the World,
Upon the Right and Party of her Son?

This might have been prevented, and made whole
With very eafie Arguments of Love,

Which now the Manage of two Kingdoms must
With fearful bloody Iffue arbitrate.

K. John. Our ftrong Poffeffion and our Right for us.
Eli. Your ftrong Poffeffion much more than your Right,

Or else it must go wrong with you and me,

So much my Confcience whispers in your Ear,
Which none but Heav'n, and you and I fhall hear.

Effex. My Liege, here is the ftrangest Controverfie

Come from the Country to be judg'd by you
That e'er I heard, fhall I produce the Men?
K. John. Let them approach:

Our Abbies and our Priories fhall pay

This Expedition's Charge. What Men are you?

Enter Robert Faulconbridge and the Baftard.
Baft. Your faithful Subject, I, a Gentleman,
Born in Northamptonshire, and eldest Son,

As