KING JOHN.

THIRTEEN PLATES.

DRAWN AND ENGRAVED

BY FRANK HOWARD.

B

REFERENCES DESCRIPTIVE OF THE

PLATES.

KING JOHN.

THE knighting of FAULCONBRIDGE, which forms the principal feature of the first act of this play, has been omitted, as being impossible to be represented without words, and as it would have extended the work without adding to the interest or making it more intelligible. The scenes between FAULCONBRIDGE and AUSTRIA have been omitted for the same reason. The former is therefore not so prominent a character in the illustrations as in the play, but this is unavoidable in a case where the dialogue outweighs the actions. The costume has been strictly attended to; and what variations have been made from the costumes published by Mr. Planche, sanctioned by a celebrated antiquary, have their foundation in the best authority-figures executed at the time of King John.

I.

PHILIP, King of France, demanding the kingdom of England from JOHN, in right of ARTHUR.

"K. JOHN. From whom hast thou this great commission, France,

To draw my answer from thy articles?

K. PHIL. From that supernal judge, that stirs good thoughts

In any breast of strong authority,

To look into the blots and stains of right.

That judge hath made me guardian to this boy:
Under whose warrant, I impeach thy wrong;

And, by whose help, I mean to chastise it.
K. JOHN. Alack, thou dost usurp authority.
K. PHIL. Excuse; it is to beat usurping down.
ELINOR. Who is it thou dost call usurper, France?
CONST. Let me make answer;-thy usurping son.
LEW. Women and fools, break off your conference.
King John, this is the very sum of all,—
England and Ireland, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,
In right of Arthur, do I claim of thee;

Wilt thou resign them, and lay down thy arms?

K. JOHN. My life as soon:-I do defy thee, France.”

ACT II. S. 1.