THE

L I F E

A N D

D Ε Α Τ Η

OF

King F O HN.

Printed in the YEAR 1709.

K

K

Ing John

Prince Henry, Son to the King. Arthur, Duke of Bretaign, and Nephew to the

King Pembroke, Eflex, Salisbury, English Lords. Hubert, Bigot, Faulconbridge, Bastard-Son to Richard the First. Robert Faulconbridge, supposod Brother to the Ba.

stard. 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, Ambasador from France to King John.

Elinor, Queen-Mother of England.
Constance, Mother to Arthur.
Blanch, Daughter to Alphonso King of Castile,

and Neice to King John. Lady Faulconbridge, Mother to the Bastard and

Robert Faulconbridge. Citizens of Angiers, Heralds, Executioners, Mef

sengers, Soldiers, and other Attendants. The SCENE fometimes in England, and sometimes in France.

THE

THE

LIFE and DEATH

OF

King JOHN.

A CT I. SCENE I. Enter King John, Queen Elinor, Pembroke, Eflex, and Salisbury, with Chattilion.

King JOHN.
O W say, Chattilion, what would France with

us?
Char. Thus, after greeting, speaks the King

of France
In my Behaviour to the Majesty,

The borrow'd Majesty of England here.
Eli. A strange Beginning; borrow'd Majesty!
K. John. Silence, good Mother, hear the Embassie.

Char. Philip of France, in right and true behalf
Ofthy deceased Brother Geffrey's Son,
Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful Claim
To this fair Iland, and the Territories:
To Ireland, Poyltiers, Anjou, Touaine, Maine,
VOL. III.

Desiring

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D firing thee to lay aside the Sword
Which sways usurpingly these severa! Titles,
And put the fame into young Arthur's Hand,
Thy Nephew, and right Royal Soveraign.

K. John. What follows, if we disallow of this?

Chat. The proud Control of fierce and bloody War, To inforce these Rights so forcibly with-held.

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

Chat. Then take my King's Defiance from my Mouth, The fartheit limiç of my Embassie.

K. John. Bear mine to him, and so depart in Peace.
Be thou as Lightning in the Eyes of France;
For e'er thou canst report, I will be there,
The Thunder of my Cannon shall be heard.
So hence; be thou the Trumpet of our Wrath,
And sullen Presage of your own decay:
An honourable Conduct let him have,
Pembroke look to'r; farewel Chattilior. [Exit Char, and Pem,

Eli. What now, my Son, have I not ever said
How that Ambitious Constance would not cease
'Til she had kindled France and all the World,
Upon th: Right and Party of her Son?
This might have been prevented, and made whole
With very easie Arguments of Love,
Which now the Manage of ewo Kingdoms must
With fearful bloody flue arbitrate.

K. John. Our ftrorg Pofseflion and our Right for us.

Eli. Your strong poffeffion much more than your Right,
Or ele it must go wrong with you and me,
So much my Conscience whispers in your Ear,
Which none bur Hear'n, and you and I shall hear.

Effex. My Liege, here is tae strangeit Conigoversie
Come from the Country to be judg’d by you
That e'er I heard, shall I produce the Men?

K. John. Let them approach:
Our Abbies and our Priories shall pay
This Expedition's Charge. What Men are you?

Enter Robert Faulconbridge and the Bastard.'.
Baft. Your faithful Subje&, I, a Gentleman,
Born in Northampton foire, and eldest son,

As

As I suppose, to Faulconbridge,
A Soldier, by the Honour-giving-hand
Of Cordelion, Knighted in the Field.

K. John. What are thou?
Robert. The Son and Heir to that same Faulconbridge.

K, John. Is that the Elder, and art thou the Heir?
You came not of one Mother, then it seems?

Baft. Most certain of ope Mother, mighty King,
That is well known, and, as I think, one Father:
But for the certain Knowledge of that Truth,
I put you o'er to Heav'n, and to my Mother ;
Of that I doubt, as all Mens Children may.

Eli. Outon thee, rude Man, thou dostíhame thy Mthir, And wound her Honour with this diffidence.

Baft. I, Madam? No: I have no Reasən for it;
That is my Brother's Plea, and none of mine,
The which if he can prove, a pops me out,
At least from fair five hundred pound a Year:
Heav'n guard my Mother's Honour, and my Land.

K. John. A good blunt Fellow; why being younger Born Doch he lay claim to thine Inheritance ?

Baft. I know not why, except to get the Land;
But once he Nander'd me with Bastardy:
But whether I be as true begot or no,
That still I lay upon my Mother's Head,
But that I am as well begot, my Liege,
Fair fall the Bones that took the Pains for me,
Compare our Faces, and be judge your self.
If old Sir Robert did beget us both,
And were our Father, and this son like him:

old Sir Robert Father, on my Knec
I give Heav'n thanks I was not like to thee.

K. John. Why what a mad-cap hath Heav'n lent us here?

Eli. He hath a trick of Cordelion's Face, The accent of his Tongue affe&eth him: Do you not read some Tokens of my Son In the large Composition of this Man?

K. John. Mine Eye hath well examined his Parts, And finds them perfect Richard: Sirrah, speak, What doch move you to claim your Brother's Land ?

Belf.

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