1.1 Location: England

1.1 King John youngest son of Henry II and Elinor; born 1166, reigned 1199–1216

1.1 Queen Elinor daughter of William V, Duke of Aquitaine; she married and divorced Louis VII of France before marrying Henry II of England

1 would France does the King of France want

3 behaviour person, i.e. through me

3 majesty sovereignty, splendor

4 borrowed assumed/feigned

6 embassy message (from the ambassador)

7 Philip of France King Philip II, son of Louis VII; lived 1165–1223, reigned from 1180

8 Geoffrey fourth son of Henry II

9 Arthur Plantagenet son of Geoffrey and Constance

10 territories dominions/dependencies

11 Poitiers i.e. the province of Poitou

12 sword i.e. state control

13 sways rules, controls

13 several various/individual

15 right by right, i.e. true

16 disallow of refuse

17 control constraint/mastery

22 embassy message/ambassadorial role

25 ere before

25 report deliver your message/make the noise of a cannon or of thunder

27 hence go from here

27 trumpet herald/musical wind instrument used to announce important arrivals

28 sullen presage gloomy portent

28 decay downfall/death

29 conduct escort

32 Constance heiress of Conan IV, Duke of Brittany; married Geoffrey in 1181 with whom she had Arthur

33 kindled stirred up, inflamed

33 France king and nation

34 Upon on behalf of

34 party part, side

35 made whole i.e. resolved

36 arguments proofs

36 love friendship

37 manage management, government

38 issue outcome

44 liege lord

44 controversy dispute

46 produce bring out

49 expeditious charge sudden cost

55 Coeur-de-lion Richard I, nicknamed “the Lionheart”

55 field battlefield

63 put you o’er direct you

63 heaven here and on several subsequent occasions “heaven” may be an alteration from “God,” following 1606 Parliamentary “Act to restrain the Abuses of Players”

65 Out on thee expression of indignation

65 rude uncivilized

66 diffidence mistrust

69 a he

69 pops me out disinherits me

70 fair fully

75 once in a word/at some time

76 whe’er whether

76 true begot honorably conceived, legitimate

77 lay … head i.e. leave my mother to answer

79 Fair fall may good fortune befall

84 like similar

85 madcap lunatic/wild fellow

85 lent brought

86 trick distinctive look, habit

87 affecteth imitates, assumes the character of

88 tokens signs, evidence

89 large composition general/robust constitution

90 parts qualities

91 Sirrah sir (used to an inferior)

92 move prompt

93 half-face profile/thin face

94 face plays on the sense of “brazen defiance”

95 half-faced groat coin worth four old pence with the monarch’s face in profile; also, “imperfect/insignificant”

96 when that when

97 Your brother i.e. Richard I, Coeur-de-lion

99 tale story (perhaps plays on sense of “genitals”)

99 employed made use of/occupied sexually

102 treat of discuss

102 high important

102 touching relating to/affecting

104 sojourned stayed

105 prevail gain the mastery/succeed in attaining/persuade

109 lusty vigorous, lively (plays on the sense of “product of lust”)

109 got begot, conceived

111 took … death i.e. swore most solemnly

114 before … time i.e. before the full nine months were up

119 did play false was unfaithful

119 fault sin, moral defect (may play on the sense of “vagina”)

120 lies … hazards i.e. is one of the risks

121 how what

121 brother i.e. Richard I

124 sooth truth

124 kept … world the owner of a cow has the right to keep any calf born of that cow

128 refuse him spurn Philip (the Bastard)

128 concludes settles it

131 will legal testament/wishes

134 will wish/carnal desire/penis

135 Whether which of the two

137 reputed recognized/supposed

138 presence self/personal dignity

139 an if if

139 shape appearance

140 Sir … him i.e. that resembles Sir Robert’s

141 riding-rods horse whips, i.e. skinny

143 in behind

144 three-farthings the thin three-farthing coin bore the queen’s image in front of a rose

145 to his shape in addition to having his inherited physical appearance

146 Would I might may I

147 it every foot every foot of it

147 this i.e. my own

148 Nob nickname for Robert (puns on senses of “head/head of the family”)

148 case puns on the sense of “face/appearance”

154 dear expensive, because more than a groat (fourpence)

156 thither i.e. to death

157 give … way allow our superiors to go first, as is polite

161 form likeness, image

162 rise some editors emend to “arise” for the sake of meter

166 hour possible pun on “whore”

169 grandam grandmother

170 truth chaste loyalty

170 what though what of that

171 Something about in a somewhat indirect way

171 from the right distant from the correct way, i.e. legitimacy

172 window with vaginal connotations

172 hatch lower part of a door (with vaginal connotations)

173 stir plays on the senses of “get an erection/engage in sex”

173 walk plays on the sexual sense of “be erect”

174 have (sexual) possession

174 catch seize, get hold of

175 Near … off i.e. to the target (in archery/sexually)

175 shot plays on the sense of “ejaculated”

179 speed travel hastily

180 need necessary

181 adieu good-bye

183 foot degree (may pun on French foutre, i.e. “fuck”)

184 many a many i.e. many (emphatic)

185 Joan typical name for a country or lower-class woman

186 den evening (from “God give you good even”)

186 God-a-mercy God have mercy on you

189 ’Tis i.e. remembering men’s names

189 respective attentive/respectful

190 conversion i.e. newly titled man

191 toothpick ornate toothpicks were fashionable and seen as a foreign sophistication

191 worship’s mess company of people eating together (now honored by his title)

192 stomach appetite

192 sufficed satisfied

193 catechize question

194 picked foppish/having used the toothpick/specially chosen

194 of countries i.e. well-traveled

197 Absey book book of ABC

201 would wants, asks

202 Saving except

202 dialogue of compliment polite/affected conversation

205 supper i.e. supper-time

205 so thus

207 mounting (socially) ascending/aspiring

208 bastard … time not a true son of the current age

209 smack show the characteristics (literally, taste); Folio spelling “smoake” was alternative form of same word, which could also mean “observe, suspect”

209 observation observance of polite, fashionable practices

210 so am I i.e. a literal bastard

211 habit dress

211 device outward show/ingenuity/heraldic design

212 accoutrement formal trappings

213 motion desire, impulse

214 sweet poison i.e. flattery

214 tooth appetite, sweet tooth

215 practise plot

216 to … learn i.e. learn how to spot other people’s deception by studying it myself

217 strew be scattered

217 rising i.e. ascent to greatness

218 riding-robes horse-riding clothes

219 woman-post female messenger

220 blow a horn i.e. to announce her arrival (plays on the fact that her husband has recently been shown to be a cuckold; men with unfaithful wives were popularly imagined to wear horns on their forehead)

223 slave wretch, villain

224 holds in chase hunts

224 up and down in every respect/everywhere

226 Colbrand the Giant part of an invading Danish army defeated by Guy of Warwick, the eponymous hero of a medieval romance story

228 unreverend irreverent, disrespectful

231 give us leave leave us

233 Philip Sparrow the Bastard rejects his former name (since he has been renamed “Sir Richard Plantagenet”) as a common name for sparrows (as it resembles their call)

234 toys trifling matters

234 abroad about, going on

234 anon soon

236 eat i.e. eaten (pronounced “et”)

236 eat … fast “He may his part on Good Friday eat and fast never the worse for ought he shall get” was proverbial

236 in of

238 do perform, achieve/make, produce/copulate

238 marry by the Virgin Mary

238 confess admit/agree

239 Could get i.e. were it possible he could conceive

240 handiwork i.e. his half-brother, Robert Falconbridge

241 beholding beholden, indebted

242 holp helped

244 That you who

245 untoward unmannerly, improper

245 knave scoundrel; the Bastard puns on the meaning “servant”

246 Basilisco a character in a contemporary play who insisted on his knighthood being acknowledged

247 dubbed knighted, by having a sword placed on the shoulder

250 Legitimation legitimacy

252 proper fine/respectable

254 deny renounce

256 suit urging, courtship

258 Heaven may heaven

258 charge account/responsibility

259 issue offspring

259 dear cherished/grievous/costly

260 defence resistance

261 get be conceived

263 privilege immunity

264 folly foolishness/lust

265 dispose disposal, command

266 Subjected obedient/as his royal subject

268 aweless fearless

268 lion … hand as punishment for killing the Duke of Austria’s son, Richard I was imprisoned with a lion, whose heart he tore out by putting his hand down its throat

270 perforce forcibly

273 Who whoever

275 kin (new) relations

277 said him nay refused him

278 was i.e. a sin

2.1 Location: France

2.1 before Angiers in front of the gates of Angiers, on the Loire river

2.1 Dauphin title for heir to the French throne

2.1 Austria historically Leopold V; apparently wearing a lion’s skin, supposedly taken from Richard I

2 that … blood i.e. your predecessor

4 holy … Palestine the Crusades

5 By i.e. at the hand of

6 posterity descendants

7 importance request

8 spread display

8 colours battle flags

9 rebuke repress

10 unnatural i.e. behaving in a manner that contradicts natural kinship

13 offspring descendants

14 Shadowing sheltering

15 powerless i.e. without a military force behind it

16 unstainèd pure, unblemished

19 zealous earnest

20 seal … indenture wax seal on a legal contract

23 pale either adjectival (colorless) or a noun (boundary, enclosure)

23 pale … shore i.e. the chalk cliffs of England’s southeastern coast (hence England)

24 spurns kicks, rejects

25 coops encloses, protects

26 main sea

27 bulwark fortification

27 still always

28 confident from self-assured against

28 purposes plans, i.e. threats of invasion

31 follow arms i.e. take part in military action

34 more requital to greater recompense for

37 bent directed

38 brows i.e. walls/battlements

39 discipline military strategy

40 cull select

40 plots positions, sites

40 advantages i.e. military advantage in attack

43 But we will if necessary to

43 subject to ruled by/answerable to

44 Stay wait

44 embassy message

45 unadvised rashly, without full thought or information

49 indirectly wrongfully

50 lo look

52 England the King of England

52 gentle noble

53 coldly calmly

55 against in preparation for

56 impatient of angered by

58 leisure convenience

58 stayed waited for

59 legions forces

60 expedient rapid

62 Mother-Queen Queen-Mother, i.e. Elinor

63 Ate Greek goddess of discord and revenge

64 niece female relative; actually Elinor’s granddaughter and John’s niece

64 Blanche of Spain daughter of John’s sister Eleanor and Alfonso VIII, King of Castile

65 king’s deceased dead king (Richard I)

66 unsettled humours i.e. unruly persons, malcontents; humours four chief bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, choler, black choler) governing mental qualities and disposition

67 inconsiderate reckless

67 voluntaries volunteers

68 ladies’ faces i.e. beardless and young

68 spleens tempers, impulses

69 sold … backs i.e. they have spent everything on armor and military equipment

71 make … of risk, venture

72 braver more splendid, finer

72 choice selection

73 bottoms keels, i.e. ships

73 waft wafted, i.e. conveyed (suggesting a quick easy journey)

75 scathe damage

76 churlish rough, harsh

77 circumstance details

78 parley negotiate

79 expedition warlike enterprise/haste

82 occasion (needful) circumstances

83 others i.e. troops

85 lineal hereditary

85 own i.e. territories/role of ruler

88 beats drives, forces

89 if that if

91 England’s i.e. Arthur’s

93 toil i.e. supporting Arthur’s cause

93 work duty, undertaking

95 underwrought undermined, sought to overthrow

95 his its

96 sequence of posterity lawful succession

97 Outfacèd defied/intimidated

97 infant state young majesty, i.e. Arthur

99 Geoffrey’s i.e. Arthur’s father’s

101 abstract essence, summary

103 brief summary

109 owe own

110 commission warrant

111 articles points/charges

112 supernal judge i.e. God supernal celestial

116 impeach challenge, accuse

118 Alack exclamation of dissatisfaction, regret

119 Excuse … down preventing (your) usurpation of authority is a good enough excuse

122 Out expression of irritation and scorn

123 check control, discipline

126 Liker in feature more similar in physical appearance

127 in manners (who are) in behavior/character

128 dam mother (devil and parent were proverbially similar)

130 His … mother Constance insults Elinor by suggesting that it is likelier that Geoffrey was a bastard than that Arthur might be one

131 an if if

132 blots slanders

133 grandam grandmother

133 blot defile/erase

135 crier announcing officer in a law court/town crier (a mocking reference to Austria)

137 play the devil i.e. make trouble

138 An a if he

138 catch seize, get hold of

138 hide i.e. lion’s skin

139 hare … beard “even hares may pull dead lions by the beard” (proverbial)

141 smoke subject to smoke/disinfect/beat

141 an if

142 look to’t beware

143 become earn/befit

145 sightly appropriately

146 Alcides Hercules (Greek hero, one of whose twelve labors involved killing a lion, whose skin he then wore); some editors emend “shoes” to “shows,” i.e. distinctive clothing

148 lay on that i.e. inflict blows

149 cracker boaster (playing on the sense of “supposed breaker of shoulders”)

149 deafs deafens

151 straight straight away

153 very sum final summary, absolute essence

158 Bretagne Brittany

163 it its

165 fig fruit/something valueless/rude gesture

169 coil turmoil, fuss

170 shames dishonors, embarrasses

173 pearls i.e. tears

174 in … fee as a bribe for divine support

175 beads teardrops (plays on the sense of “prayer beads on a rosary”)

177 monstrous unnatural

180 dominations dominions

180 royalties royal rights

181 eldest son’s son eldest grandson

182 Infortunate unfortunate

183 visited punished

184 canon … law scriptural rule (that the sins of the parents will be visited upon their children)

185 but only

186 Removèd distant

187 Bedlam i.e. madwoman

190 her sin implies John, whom Constance suggests was conceived adulterously (in sin)

191 removèd issue relative at one remove, i.e. Arthur

191 for because of

192 his injury harm done to Arthur

193 beadle parish officer entitled to punish minor offences, i.e. punisher

195 for because of/instead of

196 unadvisèd rash, thoughtless

197 title legal claim

199 will willfulness, wish

199 cankered corrupt

200 temperate calm

201 beseems befits

201 presence royal company

201 cry aim shout encouragement (archery term)

202 ill-tunèd harsh-sounding

202 repetitions repeated accusations

203 trumpet trumpeter

205 admit grant, recognize

206 warned summoned

207 France, for England i.e. the French king on behalf of Arthur (who should be King of England)

211 gentle peaceful/noble

211 parle negotiation

213 advancèd raised, displayed

214 prospect view

215 endamagement damage, detriment

216 bowels entrails

222 stones i.e. city walls

223 waist belt

224 ordinance artillery

225 lime mortar

226 dishabited dislodged

227 bloody power violent, fierce troops

229 much expedient very hasty

230 countercheck rebuke/check to oppose (the course of something)

232 amazed stunned/overwhelmed

232 vouchsafe permit

233 bullets cannonballs

235 folded … smoke i.e. concealed in deceitful rhetoric

236 faithless error untrustworthy lie

237 accordingly in the same manner/as it deserves

238 laboured exhausted with hard work

239 Forwearied worn out

240 harbourage shelter

241 said finished speaking

242 Lo see

243 right i.e. just claim

246 enjoys possesses

247 For on behalf of

247 downtrodden equity oppressed right

247 tread picks up on downtrodden

248 greens grassy areas

250 constraint compulsion

254 owes owns

256 Save except

256 aspect appearance

256 offence hostility, harm

256 sealed up i.e. prevented

257 spent expended, fired

259 unvexed untroubled/unimpeded

259 retire retreat

260 unhacked unused/undamaged (from battle)

261 lusty vigorous

264 fondly foolishly

264 pass pass up, disregard

265 roundure roundness, circumference

266 messengers of war i.e. cannonballs

267 Though even if

267 discipline skill in warfare

268 rude rough

270 In … which on behalf of him (Arthur) for whom

276 proves proves to be

282 else others, suchlike

284 bloods hot-blooded fellows/noble men

286 in his face against him

287 compound agree

288 for on behalf of

288 hold withhold

290 everlasting residence i.e. the grave, death

291 fleet pass, fly off

292 dreadful terrifying, daunting

292 trial contest, putting to the proof

293 chevaliers knights

294 Saint George patron saint of England who famously slew a dragon

294 swinged beat, thrashed

295 Sits … door i.e. as a tavern sign

295 hostess tavern landlady

296 fence fencing skill

297 lioness i.e. Austria’s wife; also means “whore”

298 set … hide i.e. give Austria the cuckold’s horns by sleeping with his wife

299 monster because a combination of lion and ox

303 appointment order, arrangement

304 advantage superior military position/opportunity

306 God … right! a battle cry

306.1 excursions fighting (across the stage)

306.2 Trumpets trumpeters

309 by … France with the help of the French king

312 grovelling prostrate, face down

316 displayed drawn up (if referring to the troops)/ unfurled (if referring to the banners)

321 Commander victor

321 malicious violent, hostile

322 hence from here

323 gilt coated/glittering

324 crest i.e. helmet

325 staff spear/lance

326 colours battle flags

328 like … huntsmen traditionally huntsmen smeared their hands with blood of the kill

333 onset and retire attack and retreat

335 censured judged

338 alike equally

338 like approve

343 passage progress, course

344 native natural, habitual

344 o’erswell flood (John threatens French territory)

347 progress journey (may play on the sense of “official royal tour”)

351 sways rules

351 climate part of the sky

352 just-borne justly carried

353 put thee down defeat you

354 royal number i.e. a king’s name

355 tells of records/counts

357 towers soars, mounts (falconry term)

359 chaps jaws

361 mousing tearing at (like a cat or an owl with its prey)

362 undetermined differences unresolved disagreements

363 fronts faces

364 havoc a call for general slaughter

365 potents potentates, rulers

366 confusion overthrow, destruction

366 part side

367 peace i.e. victory

368 yet admit now recognize

371 hold up support

372 that … here i.e. John has no need for a spokesperson, representing himself as rightful king

374 presence own existence/majesty

378 Kings of i.e. ruled by

379 some certain i.e. one or the other/the particular rightful

379 purged and deposed refers to the fears

380 scroyles scoundrels

380 flout mock, insult

383 industrious ingenious/painstaking/hard-working

383 acts deeds/theatrical actions/parts of a play

385 mutines mutineers, rebels

385 mutines of Jerusalem rival Jewish factions who united to fight the Romans besieging Jerusalem in AD 70

386 conjointly bend jointly aim

388 mount raise/prepare for firing

389 chargèd loaded

390 soul-fearing terrifying

390 brawled down destroyed noisily

392 play torment by firing at

392 jades wretches (literally, worthless horses)

393 unfencèd without walls, i.e. unprotected

393 desolation barren ruin/despondency

394 vulgar common

397 point i.e. sword point

398 cull forth select

399 happy minion fortunate favorite

400 day i.e. victory

402 wild irregular/audacious

402 states sovereigns

403 Smacks … something has it not a flavor

403 the policy stratagem

405 knit unite

406 lay level, flatten

407 who i.e. to determine who

408 An if if

408 mettle spirit, disposition

409 peevish obstinate/foolish

411 saucy insolent

412 when that when

413 pell-mell headlong/in hand-to-hand combat

414 ourselves i.e. each other

414 heaven or hell i.e. eternal life or damnation

419 thunder i.e. cannon

420 drift shower, deluge

421 discipline military strategy

424 vouchsafe agree, grant

425 league alliance, friendship

427 breathing lives i.e. living people

429 Persever persevere, proceed

430 favour permission, approval

430 bent resolved/inclined

432 years age

434 lusty lively, merry/fertile/lustful

438 birth noble ancestry

439 bound contain

441 complete fully equipped, perfect in

442 If … she i.e. the only fault in his perfection is that he is not her

442 complete of full of (those virtues)

443 wants lacks

444 If … he unless it could be a fault that she is not him

446 finishèd completed

447 divided incomplete

452 bounds boundaries

453 princes royal persons (of either sex)

454 battery assault

455 fast-closèd firmly, tightly shut

455 match marriage (puns on the sense of “match that lights gunpowder”)

456 spleen eagerness, angry energy

456 powder gunpowder

457 mouth of passage i.e. entrance

457 ope open

462 mortal fatal

462 peremptory determined

464 stay obstacle

470 lusty blood spirited fellow

471 plain cannon i.e. just like a cannon

471 bounce explosion

472 bastinado beating with a stick

474 buffets beats, strikes

475 Zounds by God’s wounds

475 bethumped pounded, thumped soundly

476 Since … dad i.e. since I learned to speak (conceivably suggesting punishment for the illegitimate boy calling Sir Robert “Dad”)

477 list listen

477 conjunction union

480 unsured insecure

481 yon yonder, that (one over there)

481 green youthful/inexperienced

481 boy i.e. Arthur

481 sun i.e. royal patronage

484 Mark note, observe

485 capable of receptive to

486 zeal enthusiasm

487 soft petitions gentle pleas

487 remorse sorrow/compassion

490 treaty proposition

491 forward ready

494 in … love i.e. love Blanche

496 Anjou Folio prints “Angiers,” presumably mistaking the province of Anjou for the city of Angiers where the scene takes place

497 the of the

499 liable subject

501 promotions social advancement

503 Holds hand with i.e. is equal to

507 shadow reflection, image (sense then shifts to “mere imitation/shadow cast by the sun”)

508 son plays on “sun” (popular image of royal glory)

509 makes … shadow i.e. outshines my actual or former self (plays on sense of “dims even your royal glory”)

511 infixèd fastened firmly

512 table tablet, painting surface

513 Drawn plays on the sense of “disemboweled” (being hanged, drawn, and quartered was a traitor’s punishment)

515 quartered cut into pieces/lodged

515 espy discern

518 love expression of love/lover

519 will desire, determination

520 aught anything

521 That anything whatever it is

522 translate convert, transform

523 properly correctly, decorously

524 enforce urge/compel, impose

526 That i.e. by saying that

526 worthy worthy of

528 churlish harsh/grudging

529 merit deserve

531 still always

532 vouchsafe deign, graciously condescend

535 unfeignedly genuinely

539 Full i.e. all of

539 mark monetary unit (not a coin) worth two thirds of an English pound

540 withal with this

542 likes pleases

542 close join

543 well assured very certain

544 assured betrothed

547 presently immediately

550 made up accomplished

552 who whoever

553 passionate impassioned/emotional/sorrowful

564 repair come

565 solemnity i.e. the wedding ceremony

566 measure magnitude, capacity

567 measure limited extent, proportion

568 exclamation outcry, objection

569 suffer permit

570 pomp celebration

571 composition settlement/compromise

572 title … whole claim to the whole kingdom

573 departed parted

576 rounded whispered

577 With by

578 broker go-between, agent (plays on the notion of breakage)

578 breaks beats, cracks

578 pate head, skull

578 faith loyalty/truth

579 wins gets the better

581 Who i.e. the maid’s

581 thing plays on the sense of “penis”

582 ‘maid’ virgin

583 smooth-faced plausible/deceitful

583 tickling amusing, playing with (plays on the sense of “fondling sexually”)

583 commodity convenience, expediency/advantage, profit, self-interest/woman in her sexual capacity (plays on the sense of “virginity/female sexual goods”)

584 bias natural inclination (literally the weight in the bowling ball that enables it to be rolled in a curve)

585 peisèd poised, weighted

586 even level, evenly

587 vile-drawing i.e. that attracts evil

588 sway guiding power/swerve/change

589 take head from rebel against/roll away from

589 indifferency moderation/equal impartiality

592 bawd pimp, go-between

592 all-changing i.e. causing everything to change

593 Clapped on fixed on, presented to

593 outward eye eyeball, external eye/hole in the bowling ball through which the bias was inserted

594 determined resolved/planned

594 aid i.e. support for Arthur’s cause

595 resolved determined/settled

596 base dishonorable/worthless

597 rail I on do I rant about

598 But for only

599 clutch clench (in refusal of an offer)

600 angels gold coins

600 salute greet/touch (plays on the sense of “gold coin” and on the notion of “angelic salutation”—i.e. the angels’ greeting to the Virgin Mary)

601 for because

601 unattempted untempted/unapproached

607 upon because of

4 misspoke spoken inaccurately/expressed badly

5 Be well advised consider carefully/be well informed

6 but only

7 trust believe

8 common man i.e. not a king

11 frighting frightening

12 capable of susceptible to

16 though even if

17 take a truce make peace

20 sadly gravely

22 lamentable sorrowful

22 rheum watery discharge, i.e. tears

23 proud swollen/arrogant

23 peering o’er his overflowing its

24 sad solemn/sorrowful

27 them either King John and King Philip or simply the French

28 prove discover by experience

31 encounter meet in combat

36 brook tolerate

42 content patient, calm

43 wert were

43 grim ugly/destructive

44 sland’rous shameful

45 sightless unsightly, offensive (possibly “unseen, internal”)

46 crooked deformed

46 swart swarthy, of dark complexion (considered unattractive)

46 prodigious monstrous, unnatural/ill-omened

47 Patched blotched, marked

50 Become befit

51 fair handsome/pale-complexioned

54 half-blown half-blossomed, i.e. still young and beautiful

56 Sh’adulterates she commits adultery (rather than being faithful to Arthur)

56 hourly constantly (puns on “whore-ly,” i.e. like a whore)

57 golden implies offers of money

57 plucked on drawn on, enticed/dragged in

58 sovereignty i.e. Arthur’s claim to the throne

59 his majesty i.e. King Philip and his power

59 theirs i.e. King John and Fortune’s

61 strumpet harlot, prostitute

62 fellow with connotations of “servant/worthless man”

62 France i.e. the French king

62 forsworn guilty of perjury, breaking his promise

63 Envenom poison

63 words i.e. curses

65 underbear endure

69 proud swollen/arrogant

71 state condition/throne