The First Part of Tamburlaine the Great


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The First Part of Tamburlaine the Great.

Christopher Marlowe

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This Renascence Edition was transcribed by Risa Stephanie Bear, November, 2007, from the adaptation to modernized spelling, Ernest Rhys, general editor, of the text of the octavo of 1590, in Everyman's Library, The Plays of Christopher Marlowe, London: J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd., New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., 1910. The printer's envoi is adapted from that in the edition of Brooke, Oxford, 1910 (which is much the better edition, for those seeking to do assigned reading here). Content unique to this presentation is copyright © 2007 The University of Oregon. For nonprofit and educational uses only. Send comments and corrections to the publisher, rbear[at]uoregon.edu

This edition is dedicated to Bjorn Bear.

THE FIRST PART OF
TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT

T.P.

To the Gentlemen Readers: And others
that take pleasure in reading
Histories.

Gentlemen, and courteous Readers whosoever: I have here published in print for your sakes, the two tragical Discourses of the Scythian Shepherd, Tamburlaine, that became so great a conqueror, and so mighty a Monarch: My hope is, that they will be now no less acceptable unto you to read after your serious affairs and studies, than they have been (lately) delightful for many of you to see, when the same were shewed in London upon stages: I have purposely omitted and left out some fond and frivolous gestures, digressing (and in my poor opinion) far unmeet for the matter, which I thought, might seem more tedious unto the wise, than any way else to be regarded, though (haply) they have been of some vain conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, what times they were shewed upon the stage in their graced deformities: nevertheless now, to be mixtured in print with such matter of worth, it would prove a great disgrace to so honorable and stately a history: Great folly were it in me, to commend unto your wisdoms, either the eloquence of the Author that writ them, or the worthiness of the matter itself; I therefore leave unto your learned censures, both the one and the other, and myself the poor printer of them unto your most courteous and favourable protection; which if you vouchsafe to accept, you shall evermore bind me to employ what travail and service I can, to the advancing and pleasuring of your excellent degree.

Yours, most humble at commandment,
R. J. Printer

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

Mycetes, King of Persia.
Cosroe, his brother.
Meander,      }
Theridamas, }Persian lords.
Ortygius,      }
Ceneus,        }
Menaphon,   }
Tamburlaine,   a Scythian
shepherd.
Techelles,     }
Usumcasane,} his followers.
Bajazeth, Emperor of the Turks.
King of Fez.
King of Morocco.
King of Argier.

King of Arabia.
Soldan of Egypt.
Governor of Damascus.
Agydas, }
Magnetes, }Median lords.
Capolin, an Egyptian.
Philemus, Bassoes, Lords,
Citizens, Moors, Soldiers, and
Attendants.
Zenocrate, daughter to
the Soldan of Egypt.
Anippe, her maid.
Zabina, wife to Bajazeth.
Ebea, her maid.
Virgins of Damascus.

The Prologue.

    FROM jigging veins of rhyming mother-wits,
    And such conceits as clownage keeps in pay,
    We'll lead you to the stately tent of war,
    Where you shall hear the Scythian Tamburlaine
    Threatening the world with high astounding terms,
    And scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword.
    View but his picture in this tragic glass,
    And then applaud his fortunes as you please.

ACT I

SCENE I.

Enter Mycetes, Cosroe, Meander, Theridamas,
Ortygius, Ceneus, Menaphon, with others.

Myc. Brother Cosroe, I find myself agriev'd;
    Yet insufficient to express the same,
    For it requires a great and thundering speech:
    Good brother, tell the cause unto my lords;
    I know you have a better wit than I.

Cos. Unhappy Persia, that in former age
    Hast been the seat of mighty conquerors,
    That, in their prowess and their policies,
    Have triumph'd over Afric, and the bounds
    Of Europe where the sun dares scarce appear
    For freezing meteors and congealed cold,--
    Now to be rul'd and govern'd by a man
    At whose birthday Cynthia with Saturn join'd,
    And Jove, the Sun, and Mercury denied
    To shed their influence in his fickle brain!
    Now Turks and Tartars shake their swords at thee,
    Meaning to mangle all thy provinces.

Myc. Brother, I see your meaning well enough,
    And through your planets I perceive you think
    I am not wise enough to be a king:
    But I refer me to my noblemen,
    That know my wit, and can be witnesses.
    I might command you to be slain for this,--
    Meander, might I not?

Mean. Not for so small a fault, my sovereign lord.

Myc. I mean it not, but yet I know I might--
    Yet live; yea, live; Mycetes wills it so.--
    Meander, thou, my faithful counsellor,
    Declare the cause of my conceived grief,
    Which is, God knows, about that Tamburlaine,
    That, like a fox in midst of harvest-time,
    Doth prey upon my flocks of passengers;
    And, as I hear, doth mean to pull my plumes:
    Therefore 'tis good and meet for to be wise.

Mean. Oft have I heard your majesty complain
    Of Tamburlaine, that sturdy Scythian thief,
    That robs your merchants of Persepolis
    Trading by land unto the Western Isles,
    And in your confines with his lawless train
    Daily commits incivil outrages,
    Hoping (misled by dreaming prophecies)
    To reign in Asia, and with barbarous arms
    To make himself the monarch of the East:
    But, ere he march in Asia, or display
    His vagrant ensign in the Persian fields,
    Your grace hath taken order by Theridamas.
    Charg'd with a thousand horse, to apprehend
    And bring him captive to your highness' throne.

Myc. Full true thou speak'st, and like thyself, my Ion
    Whom I may term a Damon for thy love:
    Therefore 'tis best, if so it like you all,
    To send my thousand horse incontinent
    To apprehend that paltry Scythian.
    How like you this, my honourable lords?
    Is it not a kingly resolution?

Cos. It cannot choose, because it comes from you.

Myc. Then hear thy charge, valiant Theridamas,
    The chiefest captain of Mycetes' host,
    The hope of Persia, and the very legs
    Whereon our state doth lean as on a staff,
    That holds us up and foils our neighbour foes:
    Thou shalt be leader of this thousand horse,
    Whose foaming gall with rage and high disdain
    Have sworn the death of wicked Tamburlaine.
    Go frowning forth; but come thou smiling home,
    As did Sir Paris with the Grecian dame:
    Return with speed; time passeth swift away;
    Our life is frail, and we may die to-day.

Ther. Before the moon renew her borrow'd light,
    Doubt not, my lord and gracious sovereign,
    But Tamburlaine and that Tartarian rout
    Shall either perish by our warlike hands,
    Or plead for mercy at your highness' feet.

Myc. Go, stout Theridamas; thy words are swords,
    And with thy looks thou conquerest all thy foes.
    I long to see thee back return from hence,
    That I may view these milk-white steeds of mine
    All loaden with the heads of killed men,
    And, from their knees even to their hoofs below,
    Besmear'd with blood that makes a dainty show.

Ther. Then now, my lord, I humbly take my leave.

Myc. Theridamas, farewell ten thousand times.

[Exit Theridamas.

    Ah, Menaphon, why stay'st thou thus behind,
    When other men press forward for renown?
    Go, Menaphon, go into Scythia,
    And foot by foot follow Theridamas.

Cos. Nay, pray you, let him stay; a greater [task]
    Fits Menaphon than warring with a thief:
    Create him pro-rex of all Africa,
    That he may win the Babylonians' hearts,
    Which will revolt from Persian government,
    Unless they have a wiser king than you.

Myc. Unless they have a wiser king than you!
    These are his words; Meander, set them down.

Cos. And add this to them,--that all Asia
    Lament to see the folly of their king.

Myc. Well, here I swear by this my royal seat--

Cos. You may do well to kiss it, then.

Myc. Emboss'd with silk as best beseems my state,
    To be reveng'd for these contemptuous words!
    O where is duty and allegiance now?
    Fled to the Caspian or the Ocean main?
    What shall I call thee? brother? no, a foe;
    Monster of nature, shame unto thy stock,
    That dar'st presume thy sovereign for to mock!--
    Meander, come: I am abus'd, Meander.

[Exeunt all except
Cosroe and Menaphon,

Men. How now, my lord! what, mated and amaz'd
    To hear the king thus threaten like himself!

Cos. Ah, Menaphon, I pass not for his threats!
    The plot is laid by Persian noblemen
    And captains of the Median garrisons
    To crown me emperor of Asia:
    But this it is that doth excruciate
    The very substance of my vexed soul,
    To see our neighbours, that were wont to quake
    And tremble at the Persian monarch's name,
    Now sit and laugh our regiment to scorn;
    And that which might resolve me into tears,
    Men from the farthest equinoctial line
    Have swarm'd in troops into the Eastern India,
    Lading their ships with gold and precious stones,
    And made their spoils from all our provinces.

Men. This should entreat your highness to rejoice,
    Since Fortune gives you opportunity
    To gain the title of a conqueror
    By curing of this maimed empery.
    Afric and Europe bordering on your land,
    And continent to your dominions,
    How easily may you, with a mighty host,
    Pass into Græcia, as did Cyrus once,
    And cause them to withdraw their forces home,
    Lest you subdue the pride of Christendom!

[Trumpet within.

Cos. But, Menaphon, what means this trumpet's sound?

Men. Behold, my lord, Ortygius and the rest
Bringing the crown to make you emperor!

Re-enter Ortygius and Ceneus, with others, bearing a crown.

Orty. Magnificent and mighty prince Cosroe,
    We, in the name of other Persian states
    And commons of this mighty monarchy,
    Present thee with th' imperial diadem.

Cen. The warlike soldiers and the gentlemen,
    That heretofore have fill'd Persepolis
    With Afric captains taken in the field,
    Whose ransom made them march in coats of gold,
    With costly jewels hanging at their ears,
    And shining stones upon their lofty crests,
    Now living idle in the walled towns,
    Wanting both pay and martial discipline,
    Begin in troops to threaten civil war,
    And openly exclaim against their kings:
    Therefore, to stay all sudden mutinies,
    We will invest your highness emperor;
    Whereat the soldiers will conceive more joy
    Than did the Macedonians at the spoil
    Of great Darius and his wealthy host.

Cos. Well, since I see the state of Persia droop
    And languish in my brother's government,
    I willingly receive th' imperial crown,
    And vow to wear it for my country's good,
    In spite of them shall malice my estate.

Orty. And, in assurance of desir'd success,
    We here do crown thee monarch of the East,
    Emperor of Asia and Persia;
    Great lord of Media and Armenia;
    Duke of Africa and Albania,
    Mesopotamia and of Parthia,
    East India and the late-discover'd isles;
    Chief lord of all the wide vast Euxine Sea;
    And of the ever-raging Caspian Lake.

All. Long live Cosroe, mighty emperor!

Cos. And Jove may never let me longer live
    Than I may seek to gratify your love,
    And cause the soldiers that thus honour me
    To triumph over many provinces!
    By whose desires of discipline in arms
    I doubt not shortly but to reign sole king.
    And with the army of Theridamas
    (Whither we presently will fly, my lords,)
    To rest secure against my brother's force.

Orty. We knew, my lord, before we brought the crown,
    Intending your investion so near
    The residence of your despised brother,
    The lords would not be too exasperate
    To injury or suppress your worthy title;
    Or, if they would, there are in readiness
    Ten thousand horse to carry you from hence,
    In spite of all suspected enemies.

Cos. I know it well, my lord, and thank you all.

Orty. Sound up the trumpets, then.

[Trumpets sounded.

All: God save the king!

[Exeunt.

SCENE II

Enter Tamburlaine leading Zenocrate, Techelles, Usumcasane,
Agydas, Magnetes, Lords, and Soldiers loaden with treasure.

Tamb. Come, lady, let not this appal your thoughts;
    The jewels and the treasure we have ta'en
    Shall be reserv'd, and you in better state
    Than if you were arriv'd in Syria,
    Even in the circle of your father's arms,
    The mighty Soldan of Ægyptia.

Zeno. Ah, shepherd, pity my distressed plight!
    (If, as thou seem'st, thou art so mean a man,)
    And seek not to enrich thy followers
    By lawless rapine from a silly maid,
    Who, travelling with these Median lords
    To Memphis, from my uncle's country of Media,
    Where, all my youth, I have been governed,
    Have pass'd the army of the mighty Turk,
    Bearing his privy-signet and his hand
    To safe conduct as thorough Africa.

Mag. And, since we have arrived in Scythia,
    Besides rich presents from the puissant Cham,
    We have his highness' letters to command
    Aid and assistance, if we stand in need.

Tamb. But now you see these letters and commands
    Are countermanded by a greater man;
    And through my provinces you must expect
    Letters of conduct from my mightiness,
    If you intend to keep your treasure safe,
    But, since I love to live at liberty
    As easily may you get the Soldan's crown
    As any prizes out of my precinct;
    For they are friends that help to wean my state
    Till men and kingdoms help to strengthen it
    And must maintain my life exempt from servitude--
    But, tell me, madam, is your grace betroth'd?

Zeno. I am, my lord,--for so you do import.

Tamb. I am a lord, for so my deeds shall prove;
    And yet a shepherd by my parentage.
    But, lady, this fair face and heavenly hue
    Must grace his bed that conquers Asia,
    And means to be a terror to the world,
    Measuring the limits of his empery
    By east and west, as Phœbus doth his course--
    Lie here, ye weeds, that I disdain to wear!
    This complete armour and this curtle-axe
    Are adjuncts more beseeming Tamburlaine.--
    And, madam, whatsoever you esteem
    Of this success, and loss unvalued,
    Both may invest you empress of the East;
    And these that seem but silly country swains
    May have the leading of so great an host
    As with their weight shall make the mountains quake,
    Even as when windy exhalations,
    Fighting for passage, tilt within the earth.

Tech. As princely lions, when they rouse themselves,
    Stretching their paws, and threatening herds of beasts,
    So in his armour looketh Tamburlaine.
    Methinks I see kings kneeling at his feet,
    And he with frowning brows and fiery looks
    Spurning their crowns from off their captive heads.

Usum. And making thee and me, Techelles, kings,
    That even to death will follow Tamburlaine.

Tamb. Nobly resolv'd, sweet friends and followers!
    These lords perhaps do scorn our estimates,
    And think we prattle with distemper'd spirits:
    But, since they measure our deserts so mean,
    That in conceit bear empires on our spears,
    Affecting thoughts coequal with the clouds,
    They shall be kept our forced followers
    Till with their eyes they view us emperors.

Zeno. The gods, defenders of the innocent,
    Will never prosper your intended drifts,
    That thus oppress poor friendless passengers.
    Therefore at least admit us liberty,
    Even as thou hop'st to be eternised
    By living Asia's mighty emperor.

Agyd. I hope our lady's treasure and our own
    May serve for ransom to our liberties:
    Return our mules and empty camels back,
    That we may travel into Syria,
    Where her betrothed lord, Alcidamus,
    Expects the arrival of her highness' person.

Mag. And wheresoever we repose ourselves,
    We will report but well of Tamburlaine.

Tamb. Disdains Zenocrate to live with me?
    Or you, my lord, to be my followers?
    Think you I weigh this treasure more than you?
    Not all the gold in India's wealthy arms
    Shall buy the meanest soldier in my train.
    Zenocrate, lovelier than the love of Jove,
    Brighter than is the silver Rhodope,
    Fairer than whitest snow on Scythian hills,
    Thy person is more worth to Tamburlaine
    Than the possession of the Persian crown,
    Which gracious stars have promis'd at my birth.
    A hundred Tartars shall attend on thee,
    Mounted on steeds swifter than Pegasus;
    Thy garments shall be made of Median silk,
    Enchas'd with precious jewels of mine own,
    More rich and valurous than Zenocrate's;
    With milk-white harts upon an ivory sled
    Thou shalt be drawn amidst the frozen pools,
    And scale the icy mountains' lofty tops,
    Which with thy beauty will be soon resolv'd:
    My martial prizes, with five hundred men,
    Won on the fifty-headed Volga's waves,
    Shall we all offer to Zenocrate,
    And then myself to fair Zenocrate.

Tech. What now! in love?

Tamb. Techelles, women must be flattered:
    But this is she with whom I am in love.

Enter a Soldier.

Sold. News, news!

Tamb. How now! what's the matter?

Sold. A thousand Persian horsemen are at hand,
    Sent from the king to overcome us all.

Tamb. How now, my lords of Egypt and Zenocrate!
    Now must your jewels be restor'd again,
    And I, that triumph'd so, be overcome?
    How say you, lordlings? is not this your hope?

Agyd. We hope yourself will willingly restore them.

Tamb. Such hope, such fortune, have the thousand horse.
    Soft ye, my lords, and sweet Zenocrate!
    You must be forced from me ere you go--
    A thousand horsemen! we five hundred foot!
    An odds too great for us to stand against.
    But are they rich? and is their armour good?

Sold. Their plumed helms are wrought with beaten gold,
    Their swords enamell'd, and about their necks
    Hang massy chains of gold down to the waist;
    In every part exceeding brave and rich.

Tamb. Then shall we fight courageously with them?
    Or look you I should play the orator?

Tech. No; cowards and faint-hearted runaways
    Look for orations when the foe is near:
    Our swords shall play the orators for us.

Usum. Come, let us meet them at the mountain-top.
    And with a sudden and an hot alarum
    Drive all their horses headlong down the hill.

Tech. Come, let us march.

Tamb. Stay, Techelles; ask a parle first.

The Soldiers enter.

    Open the mails, yet guard the treasure sure:
    Lay out our golden wedges to the view,
    That their reflections may amaze the Persians;
    And look we friendly on them when they come:
    But, if they offer word or violence,
    We'll fight, five hundred men-at-arms to one
    Before we part with our possession;
    And 'gainst the general we will lift our swords,
    And either lance his greedy thirsting throat,
    Or take him prisoner, and his chain shall serve
    For manacles till he be ransom'd home.

Tech. I hear them come: shall we encounter them?

Tamb. Keep all your standings, and not stir a foot:
    Myself will bide the danger of the brunt.

Enter Theridamas, with others.

Ther. Where is this Scythian Tamburlaine?

Tamb. Whom seek'st thou, Persian? I am Tamburlaine.

Ther. Tamburlaine!
    A Scythian shepherd so embellished
    With nature's pride and richest furniture!
    His looks do menace heaven and dare the gods;
    His fiery eyes are fix'd upon the earth,
    As if he now devis'd some stratagem,
    Or meant to pierce Avernus' darksome vaults
    To pull the triple-headed dog from hell.

Tamb. Noble and mild this Persian seems to be,
    If outward habit judge the inward man.

Tech. His deep affections make him passionate.

Tamb. With what a majesty he rears his looks!--
    In thee, thou valiant man of Persia,
    I see the folly of thy emperor.
    Art thou but captain of a thousand horse,
    That by characters graven in thy brows,
    And by thy martial face and stout aspect,
    Deserv'st to have the leading of an host?
    Forsake thy king, and do but join with me,
    And we will triumph over all the world:
    I hold the Fates bound fast in iron chains,
    And with my hand turn Fortune's wheel about;
    And sooner shall the sun fall from his sphere
    Than Tamburlaine be slain or overcome.
    Draw forth thy sword thou mighty man-at-arms,
    Intending but to raze my charmed skin,
    And Jove himself will stretch his hand from heaven
    To ward the blow, and shield me safe from harm.
    See, how he rains down heaps of gold in showers,
    As if he meant to give my soldiers pay!
    And, as a sure and grounded argument
    That I shall be the monarch of the East,
    He sends this Soldan's daughter rich and brave,
    To be my queen and portly emperess.
    If thou wilt stay with me, renowmed man,
    And lead thy thousand horse with my conduct,
    Besides thy share of this Egyptian prize,
    Those thousand horse shall sweat with martial spoil
    Of conquer'd kingdoms and of cities sack'd:
    Both we will walk upon the lofty cliffs;
    And Christian merchants, that with Russian stems
    Plough up huge furrows in the Caspian Sea,
    Shall vail to us as lords of all the lake;
    Both we will reign as consuls of the earth,
    And mighty kings shall be our senators.
    Jove sometimes masted in a shepherd's weed;
    And by those steps that he hath scal'd the heavens
    May we become immortal like the gods.
    Join with me now in this my mean estate,
    (I call it mean, because, being yet obscure,
    The nations far-remov'd admire me not,)
    And when my name and honour shall be spread
    As far as Boreas claps his brazen wings,
    Or fair Bootes sends his cheerful light,
    Then shalt thou be competitor with me,
    And sit with Tamburlaine in all his majesty.

Ther. Not Hermes, prolocutor to the gods,
    Could use persuasions more pathetical.

Tamb. Nor are Apollo's oracles more true
    Than thou shalt find my vaunts substantial.

Tech. We are his friends; and if the Persian king
    Should offer present dukedoms to our state,
    We think it loss to make exchange for that
    We are assur'd of by our friend's success.

Usum. And kingdoms at the least we all expect,
    Besides the honour in assured conquests,
    Where kings shall crouch unto our conquering swords,
    And hosts of soldiers stand amaz'd at us,
    When with their fearful tongues they shall confess,
    These are the men that all the world admires.

Ther. What strong enchantments tice my yielding soul
    To these resolved, noble Scythians!
    But shall I prove a traitor to my king?

Tamb. No; but the trusty friend of Tamburlaine.

Ther. Won with thy words, and conquer'd with thy looks,
    I yield myself, my men, and horse to thee,
    To be partaker of thy good or ill,
    As long as life maintains Theridamas.

Tamb. Theridamas, my friend, take here my hand,
    Which is as much as if I swore by heaven,
    And call'd the gods to witness of my vow.
    Thus shalt my heart be still combin'd with thine
    Until our bodies turn to elements,
    And both our souls aspire celestial thrones.--
    Techelles and Casane, welcome him.

Tech. Welcome, renowmed Persian, to us all!

Usum. Long may Theridamas remain with us!

Tamb. These are my friends, in whom I more rejoice
    Than doth the king of Persia in his crown;
    And, by the love of Pylades and Orestes,
    Whose statues we adore in Scythia,
    Thyself and them shall never part from me
    Before I crown you kings in Asia.
    Make much of them, gentle Theridamas,
    And they will never leave thee till the death.

Ther. Nor thee nor them, thrice-noble Tamburlaine
    Shall want my heart to be with gladness pierc'd,
    To do you honour and security.

Tamb. A thousand thanks, worthy Theridamas.--
    And now, fair madam, and my noble lords,
    If you will willingly remain with me,
    You shall have honours as your merits be;
    Or else you shall be forc'd with slavery.

Agyd. We yield unto thee, happy Tamburlaine.

Tamb. For you, then, madam, I am out of doubt.

Zeno. I must be pleas'd perforce,--wretched Zenocrate!

[Exeunt.

ACT II

SCENE I

Enter Cosroe, Menaphon, Ortygius, and Ceneus, with Soldiers.

Cos. Thus far are we towards Theridamas,
    And valiant Tamburlaine, the man of fame,
    The man that in the forehead of his fortune
    Bears figures of renown and miracle.
    But tell me, that hast seen him, Menaphon,
    What stature wields he, and what personage?

Men. Of stature tall, and straightly fashioned
    Like his desire, lift upwards and divine;
    So large of limbs, his joints so strongly knit,
    Such breadth of shoulders as might mainly bear
    Old Atlas' burden; 'twixt his manly pitch,
    A pearl more worth than all the world is plac'd,
    Wherein by curious sovereignty of art
    Are fix'd his piercing instruments of sight,
    Whose fiery circles bear encompassed
    A heaven of heavenly bodies in their spheres,
    That guides his steps and actions to the throne
    Where honour sits invested royally;
    Pale of complexion, wrought in him with passion,
    Thirsting with sovereignty and love of arms;
    His lofty brows in folds do figure death,
    And in their smoothness amity and life;
    About them hangs a knot of amber hair,
    Wrapped in curls, as fierce Achilles' was,
    On which the breath of heav'n delights to play
    Making it dance with wanton majesty;
    His arms and fingers long and sinewy,
    Betokening valour and excess of strength;--
    In every part proportion'd like the man
    Should make the world subdu'd to Tamburlaine.

Cos. Well hast thou pourtray'd in thy terms of life
    The face and personage of a wondrous man:
    Nature doth strive with Fortune and his stars
    To make him famous in accomplish'd worth;
    And well his merits shew him to be made
    His fortune's master and the king of men,
    That could persuade, at such a sudden pinch,
    With reasons of his valour and his life,
    A thousand sworn and overmatching foes.
    Then, when our powers in points of swords are join'd,
    And clos'd in compass of the killing bullet,
    Though strait the passage and the port be made
    That leads to palace of my brother's life,
    Proud is his fortune if we pierce it not;
    And, when the princely Persian diadem
    Shall overweigh his weary witless head,
    And fall, like mellow'd fruit, with shakes of death
    In fair Persia noble Tamburlaine
    Shall be my regent, and remain as king.

Orty. In happy hour we have set the crown
    Upon your kingly head, that seeks our honour
    In joining with the man ordain'd by heaven
    To further every action to the best.

Cen. He that with shepherds and a little spoil
    Durst, in disdain of wrong and tyranny,
    Defend his freedom 'gainst a monarchy,
    What will he do supported by a king,
    Leading a troop of gentlemen and lords,
    And stuff'd with treasure for his highest thoughts!

Cos. And such shall wait on worthy Tamburlaine.
    Our army will be forty thousand strong,
    When Tamburlaine and brave Theridamas
    Have met us by the river Araris;
    And all conjoin'd to meet the witless king,
    That now is marching near to Parthia,
    And, with unwilling soldiers faintly arm'd,
    To seek revenge on me and Tamburlaine;
    To whom, sweet Menaphon, direct me straight.

Men. I will, my lord.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II

Enter ; Mycetes, Meander, with other Lords; and Soldiers.

Myc. Come, my Meander, let us to this gear.
    I tell you true, my heart is swoln with wrath
    On this same thievish villain Tamburlaine,
    And of that false Cosroe, my traitorous brother.
    Would it not grieve a king to be so abus'd,
    And have a thousand horsemen ta'en away?
    And, which is worse, to have his diadem
    Sought for by such scald knaves as love him not?
    I think it would: well, then, by heavens I swear,
    Aurora shall not peep out of her doors,
    But I will have Cosroe by the head,
    And kill proud Tamburlaine with point of sword.
    Tell you the rest, Meander: I have said.

Mean. Then, having pass'd Armenian deserts now,
    And pitch'd our tents under the Georgian hills,
    Whose tops are cover'd with Tartarian thieves,
    That lie in ambush, waiting for a prey,
    What should we do but bid them battle straight,
    And rid the world of those detested troops?
    Lest, if we let them linger here a while,
    They gather strength by power of fresh supplies.
    This country swarms with vile outragious men
    That live by rapine and by lawless spoil,
    Fit soldiers for the wicked Tamburlaine;
    And he that could with gifts and promises
    Inveigle him that led a thousand horse,
    And make him false his faith unto his king,
    Will quickly win such as be like himself.
    Therefore cheer up your minds; prepare to fight:
    He that can take or slaughter Tamburlaine,
    Shall rule the province of Albania;
    Who brings that traitor's head, Theridamas,
    Shall have a government in Media,
    Beside the spoil of him and all his train:
    But, if Cosroe (as our spials say,
    And as we know) remains with Tamburlaine,
    His highness' pleasure is that he should live,
    And be reclaim'd with princely lenity.

Enter a Spy.

Spy. An hundred horsemen of my company,
    Scouting abroad upon these champion plains,
    Have view'd the army of the Scythians;
    Which make report it far exceeds the king's.

Mean. Suppose they be in number infinite,
    Yet being void of martial discipline,
    All running headlong, greedy after spoils,
    And more regarding gain than victory,
    Like to the cruel brothers of the earth,
    Sprung of the teeth of dragons venomous,
    Their careless swords shall lance their fellows' throats,
    And make us triumph in their overthrow.

Myc. Was there such brethren, sweet Meander, say,
That sprung of teeth of dragons venomous?

Mean. So poets say, my lord.

Myc. And 'tis a pretty toy to be a poet.
    Well, well, Meander, thou art deeply read;
    And having thee, I have a jewel sure.
    Go on, my lord, and give your charge, I say;
    Thy wit will make us conquerors to-day.

Mean. Then, noble soldiers, to entrap these thieves
    That live confounded in disorder'd troops,
    If wealth or riches may prevail with them,
    We have our camels laden all with gold,
    Which you that be but common soldiers
    Shall fling in every corner of the field;
    And, while the base-born Tartars take it up,
    You, fighting more for honour than for gold,
    Shall massacre those greedy-minded slaves;
    And, when their scatter'd army is subdu'd,
    And you march on their slaughter'd carcasses.
    Share equally the gold that bought their lives,
    And live like gentlemen in Persia.
    Strike up the drum, and march courageously:
    Fortune herself doth sit upon our crests.

Myc. He tells you true, my masters; so he does.--
    Drums, why sound ye not when Meander speaks?

[Exeunt, drums sounding.

SCENE III

Enter Cosroe, Tamburlaine, Theridamas, Techelles,
Usumcasane, and Ortygius, with others.

Cos. Now, worthy Tamburlaine, have I repos'd
    In thy approved fortunes all my hope.
    What think'st thou, man, shall come of our attempts?
    For, even as from assured oracle,
    I take thy doom for satisfaction.

Tamb. And so mistake you not a whit, my lord;
    For fates and oracles heav'n have sworn
    To royalise the deeds of Tamburlaine,
    And make them blest that share in his attempts
    And doubt you not but, if you favour me,
    And let my fortunes and my valour sway
    To some direction in your martial deeds,
    The world will strive with hosts of men-at-arms
    To swarm unto the ensign I support.
    The hosts of Xerxes, which by fame is said
    To drink the mighty Parthian Araris,
    Was but a handful to that we will have:
    Our quivering lances, shaking in the air,
    And bullets, like Jove's dreadful thunderbolts,
    Enroll'd in flames and fiery smouldering mists,
    Shall threat the gods more than Cyclopian wars;
    And with our sun-bright armour, as we march,
    We'll chase the stars from heaven, and dim their eye
    That stand and muse at our admired arms.

Ther. You see, my lord, what working words he hath:
    But, when you see his actions top his speech,
    Your speech will stay, or so extol his worth
    As I shall be commended and excus'd
    For turning my poor charge to his direction:
    And these his two renowmed friends, my lord,
    Would make one thirst and strive to be retain'd
    In such a great degree of amity.

Tech. With duty and with amity we yield
    Our utmost service to the fair Cosroe.

Cos. Which I esteem as portion of my crown.
    Usumcasane and Techelles both,
    When she that rules in Rhamnus' golden gates,
    And makes a passage for all prosperous arms,
    Shall make me solely emperor of Asia,
    Then shall your meeds and valours be advanc'd
    To rooms of honour and nobility.

Tamb. Then haste, Cosroe, to be king alone,
    That I with these my friends and all my men
    May triumph in our long--expected fate.
    The king, your brother, is now hard at hand:
    Meet with the fool, and rid your royal shoulders
    Of such a burden as outweighs the sands
    And all the craggy rocks of Caspia.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes. My lord,
    We have discovered the enemy
    Ready to charge you with a mighty army.

Cos. Come, Tamburlaine; now whet thy winged sword,
    And lift thy lofty arm into the clouds,
    That it may reach the king of Persia's crown,
    And set it safe on my victorious head.

Tamb. See where it is, the keenest curtle-axe
    That e'er made passage thorough Persian arms!
    These are the wings shall make it fly as swift
    As doth the lightning or the breath of heaven,
    And kill as sure as it swiftly flies.

Cos. Thy words assure me of kind success:
    Go, valiant soldier, go before, and charge
    The fainting army of that foolish king.

Tamb. Usumcasane and Techelles, come:
    We are enow to scare the enemy,
    And more than needs to make an emperor.

[Exeunt to the battle.

SCENE IV

Enter Mycetes, with his crown in his hand.

Myc. Accurs'd be he that first invented war!
    They knew not, ah, they knew not, simple men,
    How those were hit by pelting cannon--shot
    Stand staggering like a quivering aspen-leaf
    Fearing the force of Boreas' boisterous blasts!
    In what a lamentable case were I,
    If nature had not given me wisdom's lore!
    For kings are clouts that every man shoots at,
    Our crown the pin that thousands seek to cleave:
    Therefore in policy I think it good
    To hide it close; a goodly stratagem,
    And far from any man that is a fool:
    So shall not I be known; or if I be,
    They cannot take away my crown from me.
    Here will I hide it in this simple hole.

Enter Tamburlaine.

Tamb. What, fearful coward, straggling from the camp,
    When kings themselves are present in the field!

Myc. Thou liest.

Tamb. Base villain, darest thou give me the lie?

Myc. Away! I am the king; go; touch me not.
    Thou break'st the law of arms, unless thou kneel,
    And cry me "mercy, noble king!"

Tamb. Are you the witty king of Persia?

Myc. Ay, marry, am I: have you any suit to me?

Tamb. I would entreat you to speak but three wise words.

Myc. So I can when I see my time.

Tamb. Is this your crown?

Myc. Ay: didst thou ever see a fairer?

Tamb. You will not sell it, will you?

Myc. Such another word, and I will have thee executed.
    Come, give it me.

Tamb. No; I took it prisoner.

Myc. You lie; I gave it you.

Tamb. Then 'tis mine.

Myc. No; I mean I let you keep it.

Tamb. Well, I mean you shall have it again.
    Here, take it for a while: I lend it thee,
    Till I may see thee hemm'd with armed men;
    Then shalt thou see me pull it from thy head:
    Thou art no match for mighty Tamburlaine.

[Exit.

Myc. O gods, is this Tamburlaine the thief?
I marvel much he stole it not away.

[Trumpets within sound
to the battle: he runs out.

SCENE V

Enter Cosroe, Tamburlaine, Menaphon, Meander, Ortygius,
Theridamas, Techelles, Usumcasane, with others.

Tamb. Hold thee, Cosroe; wear two imperial crowns;
    Think thee invested now as royally,
    Even by the mighty hand of Tamburlaine,
    As if as many kings as could encompass thee
    With greatest pomp had crown'd thee emperor.

Cos. So do I, thrice-renowmed man-at-arms;
    And none shall keep the crown but Tamburlaine:
    Thee do I make my regent of Persia,
    And general lieutenant of my armies.--
    Meander, you, that were our brother's guide,
    And chiefest counsellor in all his acts,
    Since he is yielded to the stroke of war,
    On your submission we with thanks excuse,
    And give you equal place in our affairs.

Mean. Most happy emperor, in humblest terms
    I vow my service to your majesty,
    With utmost virtue of my faith and duty.

Cos. Thanks, good Meander.--Then, Cosroe, reign,
    And govern Persia in her former pomp.
    Now send embassage to thy neighbour kings,
    And let them know the Persian king is chang'd,
    From one that knew not what a king should do,
    To one that can command what 'longs thereto.
    And now we will to fair Persepolis
    With twenty thousand expert soldiers.
    The lords and captains of my brother's camp
    With little slaughter take Meander's course,
    And gladly yield them to my gracious rule.--
    Ortygius and Menaphon, my trusty friends.
    Now will I gratify your former good,
    And grace your calling with a greater sway.

Orty. And as we ever aim'd at your behoof,
    And sought your state all honour it deserv'd,
    So will we with our powers and our lives
    Endeavour to preserve and prosper it.

Cos. I will not thank thee, sweet Ortygius;
    Better replies shall prove my purposes.--
    And now, Lord Tamburlaine, my brother's camp
    I leave to thee and to Theridamas,
    To follow me to fair Persepolis;
    Then will we march to all those Indian mines
    My witless brother to the Christians lost,
    And ransom them with fame and usury:
    And, till thou overtake me, Tamburlaine,
    (Staying to order all the scatter'd troops,)
    Farewell, lord regent and his happy friends.
    I long to sit upon my brother's throne.

Mean. Your majesty shall shortly have your wish,
    And ride in triumph through Persepolis.

[Exeunt all except Tamb., Ther., Tech., and Usum.

Tamb. And ride in triumph through Persepolis!----
    Is it not brave to be a king, Techelles!--
    Usumcasane and Theridamas,
    Is it not passing brave to be a king,
    And ride in triumph through Persepolis?

Tech. O, my lord, it is sweet and full of pomp!

Usum. To be a king, is half to be a god.

Ther. A god is not so glorious as a king:
    I think the pleasure they enjoy in heaven,
    Cannot compare with kingly joys in earth;--
    To wear a crown enchas'd with pearl and gold,
    Whose virtues carry with it life and death;
    To ask and have, command and be obey'd;
    When looks breed love, with looks to gain the prize,
    Such power attractive shines in princes' eyes.

Tamb. Why, say, Theridamas, wilt thou be a king?

Ther. Nay, though I praise it, I can live without it.

Tamb. What say my other friends? will you be kings?

Tech. I, if I could, with all my heart, my lord.

Tamb. Why, that's well said, Techelles: so would I:--
And so would you, my masters, would you not?

Usum. What, then, my lord?

Tamb. Why, then, Casane, shall we wish for aught
    The world affords in greatest novelty,
    And rest attemptless, faint, and destitute?
    Methinks we should not. I am strongly mov'd,
    That if I should desire the Persian crown,
    I could attain it with a wondrous ease:
    And would not all our soldiers soon consent,
    If we should aim at such a dignity?

Ther. I know they would with our persuasions.

Tamb. Why, then, Theridamas, I'll first assay
    To get the Persian kingdom to myself;
    Then thou for Parthia; they for Scythia and Media;
    And, if I prosper, all shall be as sure
    As if the Turk, the Pope, Afric, and Greece,
    Came creeping to us with their crowns a-piece.

Tech. Then shall we send to this triumphing king,
    And bid him battle for his novel crown?

Usum. Nay, quickly, then, before his room be hot.

Tamb. 'Twill prove a pretty jest, in faith, my friends.

Ther. A jest to charge on twenty thousand men!
    I judge the purchase more important far.

Tamb. Judge by thyself, Theridamas, not me;
    For presently Techelles here shall haste
    To bid him battle ere he pass too far,
    And lose more labour than the gain will quite:
    Then shalt thou see this Scythian Tamburlaine
    Make but a jest to win the Persian crown.--
    Techelles, take a thousand horse with thee,
    And bid him turn him back to war with us,
    That only made him king to make us sport:
    We will not steal upon him cowardly,
    But give him warning and more warriors:
    Haste thee, Techelles; we will follow thee.

[Exit Techelles.

What saith Theridamas?

Ther. Go on, for me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI

Enter Cosroe, Meander, Ortygius, and Menaphon, with Soldiers.

Cos. What means this devilish shepherd, to aspire
    With such a giantly presumption,
    To cast up hills against the face of heaven,
    And dare the force of angry Jupiter?
    But, as he thrust them underneath the hills,
    And press'd out fire from their burning jaws,
    So will I send this monstrous slave to hell,
    Where flames shall ever feed upon his soul.

Mean. Some powers divine, or else infernal, mix'd
    Their angry seeds at his conception;
    For he was never sprung of human race,
    Since with the spirit of his fearful pride,
    He dares so doubtlessly resolve of rule,
    And by profession be ambitious.

Orty. What god, or fiend, or spirit of the earth,
    Or monster turned to a manly shape,
    Or of what mould or mettle he be made,
    What star or fate soever govern him,
    Let us put on our meet encountering minds;
    And, in detesting such a devilish thief,
    In love of honour and defence of right,
    Be arm'd against the hate of such a foe,
    Whether from earth, or hell, or heaven he grow.

Cos. Nobly resolv'd, my good Ortygius;
    And since we all have suck'd one wholesome air,
    And with the same proportion of elements
    Resolve, I hope we are resembled,
    Vowing our loves to equal death and life.
    Let's cheer our soldiers to encounter him,
    That grievous image of ingratitude,
    That fiery thirster after sovereignty,
    And burn him in the fury of that flame
    That none can quench but blood and empery.
    Resolve, my lords and loving soldiers, now
    To save your king and country from decay.
    Then strike up, drum; and all the stars that make
    The loathsome circle of my dated life,
    Direct my weapon to his barbarous heart,
    That thus opposeth him against the gods,
    And scorns the powers that govern Persia!

[Exeunt, drums sounding.

SCENE VII

Alarms of battle within. Then enter Cosroe wounded,
Tamburlaine, Theridamas, Techelles, Usumcasane, with others.

Cos. Barbarous and bloody Tamburlaine,
    Thus to deprive me of my crown and life!--
    Treacherous and false Theridamas,
    Even at the morning of my happy state,
    Scarce being seated in my royal throne,
    To work my downfall and untimely end!
    An uncouth pain torments my grieved soul
    And death arrests the organ of my voice,
    Who, entering at the breach thy sword hath made,
    Sacks every vein and artier of my heart.--
    Bloody and insatiate Tamburlaine!

Tamb. The thirst of reign and sweetness of a crown,
    That caus'd the eldest son of heavenly Ops
    To thrust his doting father from his chair,
    And place himself in the empyreal heaven,
    Mov'd me to manage arms against thy state.
    What better precedent than mighty Jove?
    Nature, that fram'd us of four elements
    Warring within our breasts for regiment,
    Doth teach us all to have aspiring minds:
    Our souls, whose faculties can comprehend
    The wondrous architecture of the world,
    And measure every wandering planet's course,
    Still climbing after knowledge infinite,
    And always moving as the restless spheres,
    Will us to wear ourselves, and never rest,
    Until we reach the ripest fruit of all,
    That perfect bliss and sole felicity,
    The sweet fruition of an earthly crown.

Ther. And that made me to join with Tamburlaine;
    For he is gross and like the massy earth
    That moves not upwards, nor by princely deeds
    Doth mean to soar above the highest sort.

Tech. And that made us, the friends of Tamburlaine,
    To lift our swords against the Persian king.

Vsum. For as, when Jove did thrust old Saturn down,
    Neptune and Dis gain'd each of them a crown,
    So do we hope to reign in Asia,
    If Tamburlaine be plac'd in Persia.

Cos. The strangest men that ever nature made.
    I know not how to take their tyrannies.
    My bloodless body waxeth chill and cold.
    And with my blood my life slides through my wound;
    My soul begins to take her flight to hell,
    And summons all my senses to depart:
    The heat and moisture, which did feed each other,
    For want of nourishment to feed them both,
    Are dry and cold; and now doth ghastly Death
    With greedy talents gripe my bleeding heart,
    And like a harpy tires on my life.--
    Theridamas and Tamburlaine, I die:
    And fearful vengeance light upon you both!

[Dies.--Tamburlaine takes
Cosroe's crown, and puts

it on his own head.

Tamb. Not all the curses which the Furies breathe
    Shall make me leave so rich a prize as this.
    Theridamas, Techelles, and the rest,
    Who think you now is king of Persia?

All. Tamburlaine! Tamburlaine!

Tamb. Though Mars himself, the angry god of arms,
    And all the earthly potentates conspire
    To dispossess me of this diadem,
    Yet will I wear it in despite of them,
    As great commander of this eastern world,
    If you but say that Tamburlaine shall reign.

All. Long live Tamburlaine, and reign in Asia!

Tamb. So; now it is more surer on my head
    Than if the gods had held a parliament,
    And all pronounc'd me king of Persia.

[Exeunt.

ACT III

SCENE I

Enter Bajazeth, the kings of Fez, Morocco, and Argier, with others, in great pomp.

Baj. Great kings of Barbary, and my portly bassoes.
    We hear the Tartars and the eastern thieves,
    Under the conduct of one Tamburlaine,
    Presume a bickering with your emperor,
    And think to rouse us from our dreadful siege
    Of the famous Grecian Constantinople.
    You know our army is invincible;
    As many circumcised Turks we have,
    And warlike bands of Christians renied,
    As hath the ocean or the Terrene sea
    Small drops of water when the moon begins
    To join in one her semicircled horns:
    Yet would we not be brav'd with foreign power,
    Nor raise our siege before the Grecians yield,
    Or breathless lie before the city-walls.

K. of Fez. Renowmed emperor and mighty general,
    What, if you sent the bassoes of your guard
    To charge him to remain in Asia,
    Or else to threaten death and deadly arms
    As from the mouth of mighty Bajazeth?

Baj. Hie thee, my basso, fast to Persia;
    Tell him thy lord, the Turkish emperor,
    Dread lord of Afric, Europe, and Asia,
    Great king and conqueror of Graecia,
    The ocean, Terrene, and the Coal-black sea,
    The high and highest monarch of the world,
    Wills and commands, (for say not I entreat,)
    Not once to set his foot in Africa,
    Or spread his colours in Graecia,
    Lest he incur the fury of my wrath:
    Tell him I am content to take a truce,
    Because I hear he bears a valiant mind:
    But if, presuming on his silly power,
    He be so mad to manage arms with me,
    Then stay thou with him,--say, I bid thee so.
    And if, before the sun have measur'd heaven
    With triple circuit, thou regreet us not,
    We mean to take his morning's next arise
    For messenger he will not be reclaim'd,
    And mean to fetch thee in despite of him.

Bass. Most great and puissant monarch of the earth,
    Your basso will accomplish your behest,
    And shew your pleasure to the Persian,
    As fits the legate of the stately Turk.

[Exit.

K. of Arg. They say he is the king of Persia;
    But, if he dare attempt to stir your siege,
    'Twere requisite he should be ten times more,
    For all flesh quakes at your magnificence.

Baj. True, Argier; and trembles at my looks.

K. of Mor. The spring is hinder'd by your smothering host;
    For neither rain can fall upon the earth,
    Nor sun reflex his virtuous beams thereon,
    The ground is mantled with such multitudes.

Baj. All this is true as holy Mahomet;
    And all the trees are blasted with our breaths.

K. of Fez. What thinks your greatness best to be achiev'd
    In pursuit of the city's overthrow?

Baj. I will the captive pioners of Argier
    Cut off the water that by leaden pipes
    Runs to the city from the mountain Carnon;
    Two thousand horse shall forage up and down,
    That no relief or succour come by land;
    And all the sea my galleys countermand:
    Then shall our footmen lie within the trench,
    And with their cannons, mouth'd like Orcus' gulf,
    Batter the walls, and we will enter in;
    And thus the Grecians shall be conquered.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II

Enter Zenocrate, Agydas, Anippe, with others.

Agyd. Madam Zenocrate, may I presume
    To know the cause of these unquiet fits
    That work such trouble to your wonted rest?
    'Tis more than pity such a heavenly face
    Should by heart's sorrow wax so wan and pale,
    When your offensive rape by Tamburlaine
    (Which of your whole displeasures should be most)
    Hath seem'd to be digested long ago.

Zeno. Although it be digested long ago,
    As his exceeding favours have deserv'd,
    And might content the Queen of Heaven, as well
    As it hath chang'd my first-conceiv'd disdain;
    Yet since a farther passion feeds my thoughts
    With ceaseless and disconsolate conceits.
    Which dye my looks so lifeless as they are,
    And might, if my extremes had full events,
    Make me the ghastly counterfeit of death.

Agyd. Eternal heaven sooner be dissolv'd,
    And all that pierceth Phœbus' silver eye,
    Before such hap fall to Zenocrate!

Zeno. Ah, life and soul, still hover in his breast,
    And leave my body senseless as the earth,
    Or else unite us to his life and soul,
    That I may live and die with Tamburlaine!

Enter, behind, Tamburlaine,
with Techelles, and others.

Agyd. With Tamburlaine! Ah, fair Zenocrate,
   Let not a man so vile and barbarous,
That holds you from your father in despite,
    And keeps you from the honours of a queen,
(Being suppos'd his worthless concubine,)
    Be honour'd with your love but for necessity!
    So, now the mighty Soldan hears of you,
    Your highness needs not doubt but in short time
    He will, with Tamburlaine's destruction,
    Redeem you from this deadly servitude.

Zeno. Leave to wound me with these words,
    And speak of Tamburlaine as he deserves:
    The entertainment we have had of him
    Is far from villany or servitude,
    And might in noble minds be counted princely.

Agyd. How can you fancy one that looks so fierce,
    Only dispos'd to martial stratagems?
    Who, when he shall embrace you in his arms,
    Will tell how many thousand men he slew;
    And, when you look for amorous discourse,
    Will rattle forth his facts of war and blood,
    Too harsh a subject for your dainty ears.

Zeno. As looks the sun through Nilus' flowing stream,
    Or when the Morning holds him in her arms,
    So looks my lordly love, fair Tamburlaine;
    His talk much sweeter than the Muses' song
    They sung for honour 'gainst Pierides,
    Or when Minerva did with Neptune strive:
    And higher would I rear my estimate
    Than Juno, sister to the highest god,
    If I were match'd with mighty Tamburlaine.

Agyd. Yet be not so inconstant in your love,
    But let the young Arabian live in hope,
    After your rescue to enjoy his choice.
    You see, though first the king of Persia,
    Being a shepherd, seem'd to love you much,
    Now, in his majesty, he leaves those looks,
    Those words of favour, and those comfortings,
    And gives no more than common courtesies.

Zeno. Thence rise the tears that so disdain my cheeks,
    Fearing his love through my unworthiness.

[Tamburlaine goes to her, and takes her away
lovingly by the hand, looking wrathfully on
Agydas, and says nothing. Exeunt all except
Agydas.

Agyd. Betray'd by fortune and suspicious love,
    Threaten'd with frowning wrath and jealousy
    Surpris'd with fear of hideous revenge,
    I stand aghast; but most astonied
    To see his choler shut in secret thoughts,
    And wrapt in silence of his angry soul:
    Upon his brows was pourtray'd ugly death;
    And in his eyes the fury of his heart,
    That shone as comets, menacing revenge,
    And cast a pale complexion on his cheeks.
    As when the seaman sees the Hyades
    Gather an army of Cimmerian clouds,
    (Auster and Aquilon with winged steeds,
    All sweating, tilt about the watery heavens,
    With shivering spears enforcing thunder-claps,
    And from their shields strike flames of lightning,)
    All-fearful folds his sails, and sounds the main,
    Lifting his prayers to the heavens for aid
    Against the terror of the winds and waves;
    So fares Agydas for the late-felt frowns,
    That send a tempest to my daunted thoughts,
    And make my soul divine her overthrow.

Re--enter Techelles with a naked dagger, and Usumcasane.

Tech. See you, Agydas, how the king salutes you!
    He bids you prophesy what it imports.

Agyd. I prophesied before, and now I prove
    The killing frowns of jealousy and love.
    He needed not with words confirm my fear,
    For words are vain where working tools present
    The naked action of my threaten'd end:
    It says, Agydas, thou shalt surely die,
    And of extremities elect the least;
    More honour and less pain it may procure,
    To die by this resolved hand of thine
    Than stay the torments he and heaven have sworn.
    Then haste, Agydas, and prevent the plagues
    Which thy prolonged fates may draw on thee:
    Go wander free from fear of tyrant's rage,
    Removed from the torments and the hell
    Wherewith he may excruciate thy soul;
    And let Agydas by Agydas die,
    And with this stab slumber eternally.

[Stabs himself.

Tech. Usumcasane, see, how right the man
    Hath hit the meaning of my lord and king!

Usum. Faith, and, Techelles, it was manly done
    And, since he was so wise and honourable,
    Let us afford him now the bearing hence,
    And crave his triple-worthy burial.

Tech. Agreed, Casane; we will honour him.

[Exeunt, bearing out the body.

SCENE III

Enter Tamburlaine, Techelles, Usumcasane,
Theridamas, a Basso, Zenocrate, Anippe, with others.

Tamb. Basso, by this thy lord and master knows
    I mean to meet him in Bithynia:
    See, how he comes! tush, Turks are full of brags,
    And menace more than they can well perform.
    He meet me in the field, and fetch thee hence!
    Alas, poor Turk! his fortune is too weak
    T'encounter with the strength of Tamburlaine:
    View well my camp, and speak indifferently;
    Do not my captains and my soldiers look
    As if they meant to conquer Africa?

Bas. Your men are valiant, but their number few,
    And cannot terrify his mighty host:
    My lord, the great commander of the world,
    Besides fifteen contributory kings,
    Hath now in arms ten thousand janizaries,
    Mounted on lusty Mauritanian steeds,
    Brought to the war by men of Tripoly;
    Two hundred thousand footmen that have serv'd
    In two set battles fought in Graecia;
    And for the expediton of this war,
    If he think good, can from his garrisons
    Withdraw as many more to follow him.

Tech. The more he brings, the greater is the spoil;
    For, when they perish by our warlike hands,
    We mean to set our footmen on their steeds,
    And rifle all those stately janizars.

Tamb. But will those kings accompany your lord?

Bas. Such as his highness please: but some must stay
    To rule the provinces he late subdu'd.

Tamb. [To his Officers]. Then fight courageously: their crowns are yours,
    This hand shall set them on your conquering heads
    That made me emperor of Asia.

Usum. Let him bring millions infinite of men,
    Unpeopling Western Africa and Greece,
    Yet we assure us of the victory.

Ther. Even he, that in a trice vanquish'd two kings
    More mighty than the Turkish emperor,
    Shall rouse him out of Europe, and pursue
    His scatter'd army till they yield or die.

Tamb. Well said, Theridamas! speak in that mood;
    For will and shall best fitteth Tamburlaine,
    Whose smiling stars give him assured hope
    Of martial triumph ere he meets his foes.
    I that am term'd the scourge and wrath of God,
    The only fear and terror of the world,
    Will first subdue the Turk, and then enlarge
    Those Christian captives which you keep as slaves,
    Burdening their bodies with your heavy chains,
    And feeding them with thin and slender fare;
    That naked row about the Terrene sea,
    And, when they chance to rest or breathe a space,
    Are punish'd with bastones so grievously
    That they lie panting on the galleys' side,
    And strive for life at every stroke they give.
    These are the cruel pirates of Argier,
    That damned train, the scum of Africa,
    Inhabited with straggling runagates,
    That make quick havoc of the Christian blood:
    But, as I live, that town shall curse the time
    That Tamburlaine set foot in Africa.

Enter Bajazeth, Bassoes, the kings of Fez,
Morocco, and Argier; Zabina and Ebea.

Baj. Bassoes and janizaries of my guard,
    Attend upon the person of your lord,
    The greatest potentate of Africa.

Tamb. Techelles and the rest, prepare your swords;
    I mean t'encounter with that Bajazeth.

Baj. Kings of Fez, Morocco, and Argier,
    He calls me Bajazeth, whom you call lord!
    Note the presumption of this Scythian slave!--
    I tell thee, villain, those that lead my horse
    Have to their names titles of dignity ;
    And dar'st thou bluntly call me Bajazeth?

Tamb. And know, thou Turk, that those which lead my horse
    Shall lead thee captive thorough Africa;
    And dar'st thou bluntly call me Tamburlaine?

Baj. By Mahomet my kinsman's sepulchre,
    And by the holy Alcoran I swear,
    He shall be made a chaste and lustless eunuch,
    And in my sarell tend my concubines;
    And all his captains, that thus stoutly stand,
    Shall draw the chariot of my emperess,
    Whom I have brought to see their overthrow!

Tamb. By this my sword that conquer'd Persia.
    Thy fall shall make me famous through the world!
    I will not tell thee how I'll handle thee,
    But every common soldier of my camp
    Shall smile to see thy miserable state.

K. of Fez. What means the mighty Turkish emperor,
    To talk with one so base as Tamburlaine?

K. of Morocco. Ye Moors and valiant men of Barbary,
    How can ye suffer these indignities?

K. of Arg. Leave words, and let them feel your lances' points,
    Which glided through the bowels of the Greeks.

Baj. Well said, my stout contributory kings!
    Your threefold army and my hugy host
    Shall swallow up these base-born Persians.

Tech. Puissant, renowm'd, and mighty Tamburlaine,
    Why stay we thus prolonging of their lives?

Thcr. I long to see those crowns won by our swords,
    That we may rule as kings of Africa.

Usum. What coward would not fight for such a prize?

Tamb. Fight all courageously, and be you kings:
    I speak it, and my words are oracles.

Baj. Zabina, mother of three braver boys
    Than Hercules, that in his infancy
    Did pash the jaws of serpents venomous
    Whose hands are made to gripe a warlike lance,
    Their shoulders broad for complete armour fit,
    Their limbs more large and of a bigger size
    Than all the brats y-sprung from Typhon's loins;
    Who, when they come unto their father's age,
    Will batter turrets with their manly fists;--
    Sit here upon this royal chair of state,
    And on thy head wear my imperial crown,
    Until I bring this sturdy Tamburlaine
    And all his captains bound in captive chains.

Zab. Such good success happen to Bajazeth!

Tamb. Zenocrate, the loveliest maid alive,
    Fairer than rocks of pearl and precious stone,
    The only paragon of Tamburlaine;
    Whose eyes are brighter than the lamps of heaven,
    And speech more pleasant than sweet harmony;
    That with thy looks canst clear the darken'd sky,
    And calm the rage of thundering Jupiter;
    Sit down by her, adorned with my crown,
    As if thou wert the empress of the world.
    Stir not, Zenocrate, until thou see
    Me march victoriously with all my men,
    Triumphing over him and these his kings,
    Which I will bring as vassals to thy feet;
    Till then, take thou my crown, vaunt of my worth,
    And manage words with her, as we will arms.

Zeno. And may my love, the king of Persia,
    Return with victory and free from wound!

Baj. Now shalt thou feel the force of Turkish arms,
    Which lately made all Europe quake for fear.
    I have of Turks, Arabians, Moors, and Jews,
    Enough to cover all Bithynia:
    Let thousands die: their slaughter'd carcasses
    Shall serve for walls and bulwarks to the rest;
    And as the heads of Hydra, so my power,
    Subdu'd, shall stand as mighty as before:
    If they should yield their necks unto the sword,
    Thy soldiers' arms could not endure to strike
    So many blows as I have heads for them.
    Thou know'st not, foolish-hardy Tamburlaine,
    What 'tis to meet me in the open field,
    That leave no ground for thee to march upon.

Tamb. Our conquering swords shall marshal us the way
    We use to march upon the slaughter'd foe,
    Trampling their bowels with our horses' hoofs,
    Brave horses bred on the white Tartarian hills.
    My camp is like to Julius Caesar's host,
    That never fought but had the victory;
    Nor in Pharsalia was there such hot war
    As these, my followers, willingly would have.
    Legions of spirits, fleeting in the air,
    Direct our bullets and our weapons' points,
    And make your strokes to wound the senseless light;
    And when she sees our bloody colours spread,
    Then Victory begins to take her flight,
    Resting herself upon my milk-white tent.--
    But come, my lords, to weapons let us fall;
    The field is ours, the Turk, his wife, and all.

[Exit with his followers.

Baj. Come, kings and bassoes, let us glut our swords,
That thirst to drink the feeble Persians' blood.

[Exit with his followers.

Zab. Base concubine, must thou be plac'd by me
    That am the empress of the mighty Turk?

Zeno. Disdainful Turkess, and unreverend boss,
    Call'st thou me concubine, that am betroth'd
    Unto the great and mighty Tamburlaine?

Zab. To Tamburlaine, the great Tartarian thief!

Zeno. Thou wilt repent these lavish words of thine
    When thy great basso-master and thyself
    Must plead for mercy at his kingly feet,
    And sue to me to be your advocate.

Zab. And sue to thee! I tell thee, shameless girl,
    Thou shalt be laundress to my waiting-maid.--
    How lik'st thou her, Ebea? will she serve?

Ebea. Madam, she thinks perhaps she is too fine;
    But I shall turn her into other weeds,
    And make her dainty fingers fall to work.

Zeno. Hear'st thou, Anippe, how thy drudge doth talk?
    And how my slave, her mistress, menaceth?
    Both for their sauciness shall be employ'd
    To dress the common soldiers' meat and drink;
    For we will scorn they should come near ourselves.

Anip. Yet sometimes let your highness send for them
    To do the work my chambermaid disdains.

[They sound
to the battle within.

Zeno. Ye gods and powers that govern Persia,
    And made my lordly love her worthy king,
    Now strengthen him against the Turkish Bajazeth,
    And let his foes, like flocks of fearful roes
    Pursu'd by hunters, fly his angry looks,
    That I may see him issue conqueror!

Zab. Now, Mahomet, solicit God himself,
    And make him rain down murdering shot from heaven,
    To dash the Scythians' brains, and strike them dead,
    That dare to manage arms with him
    That offer'd jewels to thy sacred shrine
    When first he warr'd against the Christians!

[They sound again
to the battle within.

Zeno. By this the Turks lie weltering in their blood,
    And Tamburlaine is lord of Africa.

Zab. Thou art deceiv'd. I heard the trumpets sound
    As when my emperor overthrew the Greeks,
    And led them captive into Africa.
    Straight will I use thee as thy pride deserves;
    Prepare thyself to live and die my slave.

Zeno. If Mahomet should come from heaven and swear
    My royal lord is slain or conquered,
    Yet should he not persuade me otherwise
    But that he lives and will be conqueror.

Re-enter Bajazeth, pursued by Tamburlaine.

Tamb. Now, king of bassoes, who is conqueror?

Baj. Thou, by the fortune of this damned foil.

Tamb. Where are your stout contributory kings?

Re-enter Techelles, Theridamas, and Usumcasane.

Tech. We have their crowns; their bodies strow the field.

Tamb. Each man a crown! why, kingly fought, i'faith.
    Deliver them into my treasury.

Zeno. Now let me offer to my gracious lord
    His royal crown again so highly won.

Tamb. Nay, take the Turkish crown from her, Zenocrate,
    And crown me emperor of Africa.

Zab. No, Tamburlaine; though now thou gat the best,
    Thou shalt not yet be lord of Africa.

Ther. Give her the crown, Turkess, you were best.

[Takes it from her.

Zab. Injurious villains, thieves, runagates,
How dare you thus abuse my majesty?

Ther. Here, madam, you are empress; she is none.

[Gives it to Zenocrate.

Tamb. Not now, Theridamas; her time is past:
    The pillars, that have bolster'd up those terms,
    Are fain in clusters at my conquering feet.

Zab. Though he be prisoner, he may be ransom'd.

Tamb. Not all the world shall ransom Bajazeth.

Baj. Ah, fair Zabina! we have lost the field;
    And never had the Turkish emperor
    So great a foil by any foreign foe.
    Now will the Christian miscreants be glad,
    Ringing with joy their superstitious bells,
    And making bonfires for my overthrow:
    But, ere I die, those foul idolaters
    Shall make me bonfires with their filthy bones;
    For, though the glory of this day be lost,
    Afric and Greece have garrisons enough
    To make me sovereign of the earth again.

Tamb. Those walled garrisons will I subdue,
    And write myself great lord of Africa:
    So from the East unto the furthest West
    Shall Tamburlaine extend his puissant arm.
    The galleys and those pilling brigandines,
    That yearly sail to the Venetian gulf,
    And hover in the Straits for Christians' wreck,
    Shall lie at anchor in the Isle Asant,
    Until the Persian fleet and men-of-war,
    Sailing along the oriental sea,
    Have fetch'd about the Indian continent,
    Even from Persepolis to Mexico,
    And thence unto the Straits of Jubalter;
    Where they shall meet and join their force in one,
    Keeping in awe the Bay of Portingale,
    And all the ocean by the British shore;
    And by this means I'll win the world at last.

Baj. Yet set a ransom on me, Tamburlaine.

Tamb. What, think'st thou Tamburlaine esteems thy gold?
    I'll make the kings of India, ere I die,
    Offer their mines, to sue for peace, to me.
    And dig for treasure to appease my wrath.--
    Come, bind them both, and one lead in the Turk;
    The Turkess let my love's maid lead away.

[They bind them.

Baj. Ah, villains, dare you touch my sacred arms?
    O Mahomet! O sleepy Mahomet!

Zab. O cursed Mahomet, that mak'st us thus;
    The slaves to Scythians rude and barbarous!

Tamb. Come, bring them in; and for this happy conquest
    Triumph, and solemnise a martial feast.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV

SCENE I

Enter the Soldan of Egypt, Capolin, Lords, and a Messenger.

Sold. Awake, ye men of Memphis! hear the clang
    Of Scythian trumpets; hear the basilisks,
    That, roaring, shake Damascus' turrets down!
    The rogue of Volga holds Zenocrate,
    The Soldan's daughter, for his concubine,
    And, with a troop of thieves and vagabonds,
    Hath spread his colours to our high disgrace,
    While you, faint-hearted base Egyptians,
    Lie slumbering on the flowery banks of Nile,
    As crocodiles that unaffrighted rest
    While thundering cannons rattle on their skins.

Mess. Nay, mighty Soldan, did your greatness see
    The frowning looks of fiery Tamburlaine,
    That with his terror and imperious eyes
    Commands the hearts of his associates,
    It might amaze your royal majesty.

Sold. Villain, I tell thee, were that Tamburlaine
    As monstrous as Gorgon prince of hell,
    The Soldan would not start a foot from him.
    But speak, what power hath he?

Mess. Mighty lord,
    Three hundred thousand men in armour clad,
    Upon their prancing steeds, disdainfully
    With wanton paces trampling on the ground;
    Five hundred thousand footmen threatening shot,
    Shaking their swords, their spears, and iron bills,
    Environing their standard round, that stood
    As bristle-pointed as a thorny wood;
    Their warlike engines and munition
    Exceed the forces of their martial men.

Sold. Nay, could their numbers countervail the stars,
    Or ever--drizzling drops of April showers,
    Or wither'd leaves that autumn shaketh down,
    Yet would the Soldan by his conquering power
    So scatter and consume them in his rage,
    That not a man should live to rue their fall.

Capo. So might your highness, had you time to sort
    Your fighting men, and raise your royal host;
    But Tamburlaine by expedition
    Advantage takes of your unreadiness.

Sold. Let him take all th' advantages he can:
    Were all the world conspir'd to fight for him,
    Nay, were he devil, as he is no man,
    Yet in revenge of fair Zenocrate,
    Whom he detaineth in despite of us,
    This arm should send him down to Erebus,
    To shroud his shame in darkness of the night.

Mess. Pleaseth your mightiness to understand,
    His resolution far exceedeth all.
    The first day when he pitcheth down his tents,
    White is their hue, and on his silver crest,
    A snowy feather spangled-white he bears,
    To signify the mildness of his mind,
    That, satiate with spoil, refuseth blood:
    But, when Aurora mounts the second time,
    As red as scarlet is his furniture;
    Then must his kindled wrath be quench'd with blood,
    Not sparing any that can manage arms:
    But, if these threats move not submission,
    Black are his colours, black pavilion;
    His spear, his shield, his horse, his armour, plumes,
    And jetty feathers, menace death and hell;
    Without respect of sex, degree, or age,
    He razeth all his foes with fire and sword.

Sold. Merciless villain, peasant, ignorant
    Of lawful arms or martial discipline!
    Pillage and murder are his usual trades:
    The slave usurps the glorious name of war.
    See, Capolin, the fair Arabian king,
    That hath been disappointed by this slave
    Of my fair daughter and his princely love,
    May have fresh warning to go war with us,
    And be reveng'd for her disparagement.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II

Enter Tamburlaine, Techelles, Theridamas, Usumcasane,
Zenocrate, Anippe, two Moors drawing
Bajazeth in a cage, and Zabina following him.

Tamb. Bring out my footstool.

[They take Bajazeth out of the cage.

Baj. Ye holy priests of heavenly Mahomet,
    That, sacrificing, slice and cut your flesh,
    Staining his altars with your purple blood,
    Make heaven to frown, and every fixed star
    To suck up poison from the moorish fens,
    And pour it in this glorious tyrant's throat!

Tamb. The chiefest god, first mover of that sphere
    Enchas'd with thousands ever-shining lamps,
    Will sooner burn the glorious frame of heaven
    Than it should so conspire my overthrow.
    But, villain, thou that wishest this to me,
    Fall prostrate on the low disdainful earth,
    And be the footstool of great Tamburlaine,
    That I may rise into my royal throne.

Baj. First shalt thou rip my bowels with thy sword,
    And sacrifice my heart to death and hell,
    Before I yield to such a slavery.

Tamb. Base villain, vassal, slave to Tamburlaine,
    Unworthy to embrace or touch the ground
    That bears the honour of my royal weight;
    Stoop, villain, stoop! stoop; for so he bids
    That may command thee piecemeal to be torn,
    Or scatter'd like the lofty cedar-trees
    Struck with the voice of thundering Jupiter.

Baj. Then, as I look down to the damned fiends,
    Fiends, look on me! and thou, dread god of hell,
    With ebon sceptre strike this hateful earth,
    And make it swallow both of us at once!

[Tamburlaine gets up on him into his chair.

Tamb. Now clear the triple region of the air,
    And let the Majesty of Heaven behold
    Their scourge and terror tread on emperors.
    Smile, stars that reign'd at my nativity,
    And dim the brightness of your neighbour lamps;
    Disdain to borrow light of Cynthia!
    For I, the chiefest lamp of all the earth,
    First rising in the east with mild aspect,
    But fixed now in the meridian line,
    Will send up fire to your turning spheres,
    And cause the sun to borrow light of you.
    My sword struck fire from his coat of steel,
    Even in Bithynia, when I took this Turk;
    As when a fiery exhalation,
    Wrapt in the bowels of a freezing cloud,
    Fighting for passage, make the welkin crack,
    And casts a flash of lightning to the earth:
    But, ere I march to wealthy Persia,
    Or leave Damascus and th' Egyptian fields,
    As was the fame of Clymene's brain-sick son
    That almost brent the axle-tree of heaven,
    So shall our swords, our lances, and our shot
    Fill all the air with fiery meteors;
    Then, when the sky shall wax as red as blood,
    It shall be said I made it red myself,
    To make me think of naught but blood and war.

Zab. Unworthy king, that by thy cruelty
    Unlawfully usurp'st the Persian seat,
    Dar'st thou, that never saw an emperor
    Before thou met my husband in the field,
    Being thy captive, thus abuse his state,
    Keeping his kingly body in a cage,
    That roofs of gold and sun-bright palaces
    Should have prepar'd to entertain his grace?
    And treading him beneath thy loathsome feet,
    Whose feet the kings of Africa have kiss'd?

Tech. You must devise some torment worse, my lord.
    To make these captives rein their lavish tongues.

Tamb. Zenocrate, look better to your slave.

Zeno. She is my handmaid's slave, and she shall look
    That these abuses flow not from her tongue.--
    Chide her, Anippe.

Anip. Let these be warnings, then, for you, my slave,
    How you abuse the person of the king;
    Or else I swear to have you whipt stark nak'd.

Baj. Great Tamburlaine, great in my overthrow,
    Ambitious pride shall make thee fall as low,
    For treading on the back of Bajazeth,
    That should be horsed on four mighty kings.

Tamb. Thy names, and titles, and thy dignities
    Are fled from Bajazeth, and remain with me,
    That will maintain it 'gainst a world of kings.--
    Put him in again.

[They put him into the cage.

Baj. Is this a place for mighty Bajazeth?
    Confusion light on him that helps thee thus.

Tamb. There, while he lives, shall Bajazeth be kept;
    And, where I go, be thus in triumph drawn;
    And thou, his wife, shall feed him with the scraps
    My servitors shall bring thee from my board;
    For he that gives him other food than this,
    Shall sit by him, and starve to death himself:
    This is my mind, and I will have it so.
    Not all the kings and emperors of the earth,
    If they would lay their crowns before my feet,
    Shall ransom him, or take him from his cage:
    The ages that shall talk of Tamburlaine,
    Even from this day to Plato's wondrous year,
    Shall talk how I have handled Bajazeth:
    These Moors, that drew him from Bithynia
    To fair Damascus, where we now remain,
    Shall lead him with us wheresoe'er we go.--
    Techelles, and my loving followers,
    Now may we see Damascus' lofty towers,
    Like to the shadows of Pyramides
    That with their beauties grace the Memphian fields.
    The golden stature of their feather'd bird,
    That spreads her wings upon the city walls,
    Shall not defend it from our battering shot:
    The townsmen mask in silk and cloth of gold,
    And every house is as a treasury;
    The men, the treasure, and the town are ours.

Ther. Your tents of white now pitch'd before the gates,
    And gentle flags of amity display'd,
    I doubt not but the governor will yield,
    Offering Damascus to your majesty.

Tamb. So shall he have his life, and all the rest:
    But, if he stay until the bloody flag
    Be once advanc'd on my vermilion tent,
    He dies, and those that kept us out so long;
    And, when they see me march in black array,
    With mournful streamers hanging down their heads
    Were in that city all the world contain'd,
    Not one should scape, but perish by our swords.

Zeno. Yet would you have some pity for my sake,
    Because it is my country and my father's.

Tamb. Not for the world, Zenocrate, if I have sworn.--
    Come; bring in the Turk.

[Exeunt

SCENE III

Enter Soldan, king of Arabia, Capolin,
and Soldiers, with streaming colours.

Sold. Methinks we march as Meleager did,
    Environed with brave Argolian knights,
    To chase the savage Calydonian boar;
    Or Cephalus, with lusty Theban youths,
    Against the wolf that angry Themis sent
    To waste and spoil the sweet Aonian fields.
    A monster of five hundred thousand heads,
    Compact of rapine, piracy, and spoil,
    The scum of men, the hate and scourge of God,
    Raves in Egyptia, and annoyeth us:
    My lord, it is the bloody Tamburlaine,
    A sturdy felon, and a base-bred thief,
    By murder raised to the Persian crown,
    That dare control us in our territories.
    To tame the pride of this presumptuous beast,
    Join your Arabians with the Soldan's power;
    Let us unite our royal bands in one,
    And hasten to remove Damascus' siege.
    It is a blemish to the majesty
    And high estate of mighty emperors,
    That such a base usurping vagabond
    Should brave a king, or wear a princely crown.

K. of Ar. Renowmed Soldan, have you lately heard
    The overthrow of mighty Bajazeth
    About the confines of Bithynia?
    The slavery wherewith he persecutes
    The noble Turk and his great emperess?

Sold. I have, and sorrow for his bad success;
    But, noble lord of great Arabia,
    Be so persuaded that the Soldan is
    No more dismay'd with tidings of his fall,
    Than in the haven when the pilot stands,
    And views a stranger's ship rent in the winds,
    And shivered against a craggy rock:
    Yet in compassion to his wretched state,
    A sacred vow to heaven and him I make,
    Confirming it with Ibis' holy name,
    That Tamburlaine shall rue the day, the hour,
    Wherein he wrought such ignominious wrong
    Unto the hallow'd person of a prince,
    Or kept the fair Zenocrate so long,
    As concubine, I fear, to feed his lust.

K. of Ar. Let grief and fury hasten on revenge;
    Let Tamburlaine for his offences feel
    Such plagues as heaven and we can pour on him:
    I long to break my spear upon his crest,
    And prove the weight of his victorious arm;
    For fame, I fear, hath been too prodigal
    In sounding through the world his partial praise.

Sold. Capolin, hast thou survey'd our powers?

Capol. Great emperors of Egypt and Arabia,
    The number of your hosts united is,
    A hundred and fifty thousand horse,
    Two hundred thousand foot, brave men-at-arms,
    Courageous and full of hardiness,
    As frolic as the hunters in the chase
    Of savage beasts amid the desert woods.

K. of Ar. My mind presageth fortunate success;
    And, Tamburlaine, my spirit doth foresee
    The utter ruin of thy men and thee.

Sold. Then rear your standards; let your sounding drums
    Direct our soldiers to Damascus' walls.--
    Now, Tamburlaine, the mighty Soldan comes,
    And leads with him the great Arabian king,
    To dim thy baseness and obscurity,
    Famous for nothing but for theft and spoil;
    To raze and scatter thy inglorious crew
    Of Scythians and slavish Persians.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV

A banquet set out; and to it come Tamburlaine all in scarlet,
Zenocrate, Theridamas, Techelles, Usumcasane,
Bajazeth drawn in his cage, Zabina, and others.

Tamb. Now hang our bloody colours by Damascus,
    Reflexing hues of blood upon their heads,
    While they walk quivering on their city-walls,
    Half-dead for fear before they feel my wrath.
    Then let us freely banquet, and carouse
    Full bowls of wine unto the god of war,
    That means to fill your helmets full of gold,
    And make Damascus' spoils as rich to you
    As was to Jason Colchos' golden fleece.--
    And now, Bajazeth, hast thou any stomach?

Baj. Ay, such a stomach, cruel Tamburlaine, as I could willingly feed upon thy blood-raw heart.

Tamb. Nay, thine own is easier to come by: pluck out that; and 'twill serve thee and thy wife. -- Well, Zenocrate, Techelles, and the rest, fall to your victuals.

Baj. Fall to, and never may your meat digest!--
    Ye Furies, that can mask invisible,
    Dive to the bottom of Avernus' pool,
    And in your hands bring hellish poison up,
    And squeeze it in the cup of Tamburlaine!
    Or, winged snakes of Lerna, cast your stings,
    And leave your venoms in this tyrant's dish!

Zab. And may this banquet prove as ominous
    As Progne's to th' adulterous Thracian king
    That fed upon the substance of his child!

Zeno. My lord, how can you suffer these
    Outrageous curses by these slaves of yours?

Tamb. To let them see, divine Zenocrate,
    I glory in the curses of my foes,
    Having the power from the empyreal heaven
    To turn them all upon their proper heads.

Tech. I pray you. give them leave, madam; this speech is a goodly refreshing for them.

Ther. But, if his highness would let them be fed, it would do them more good.

Tamb. Sirrah, why fall you not to? are you so daintily brought up, you cannot eat your own flesh?

Baj. First, legions of devils shall tear thee in pieces.

Usum. Villain, knowest thou to whom thou speakest?

Tamb. O, let him alone.--Here; eat, sir; take it from my sword's point, or I'll thrust it to thy heart.

[Bajazeth takes the
food, and stamps upon it.

Ther. He stamps it under his feet, my lord.

Tamb. Take it up, villain, and eat it; or I will make thee slice the brawns of thy arms into carbonadoes and eat them.

Usum. Nay, 'twere better he killed his wife, and then she shall be sure not to be starved, and he be provided for a month's victual beforehand.

Tamb. Here is my dagger: despatch her while she is fat; for, if she live but a while longer, she will fall into a consumption with fretting, and then she will not be worth the eating.

Ther. Dost thou think that Mahomet will suffer this?

Tech. 'Tis like he will, when he cannot let it.

Tamb. Go to; fall to your meat. What, not a bit!-- Belike he hath not been watered to-day: give him some drink.

[They give Bajazeth water to drink,
and he flings it on the ground.

Fast, and welcome, sir, while hunger make you eat. --How now, Zenocrate! doth not the Turk and his wife make a goodly show at a banquet?

Zeno. Yes, my lord.

Ther. Methinks 'tis a great deal better than a consort of music.

Tamb. Yet music would do well to cheer up Zenocrate. Pray thee, tell why art thou so sad? if thou wilt have a song, the Turk shall strain his voice: but why is it?

Zeno. My lord, to see my father's town besieg'd,
    The country wasted, where myself was born,
    How can it but afflict my very soul?
    If any love remain in you, my lord,
&n