Cunn. = = = revised "" 1858, etc. Cunningham's Bullen's 1870, etc. A. Wagner's edition of Tamburlaine, 1885. T. B. = The present editor. C. B.'s conjectures in 'Anglia', Beiblatt, 1905, p. 207. J. Le Gay Brereton, (a) Notes on the Text of Marlowe, 'Anglia', Beiblatt, 1905, pp. 203 ff. (b) Passages from the Works of Marlowe, Sydney, 1902. J. B.'s MS. notes in copy of Rob. (Brit. Mus. J. P. Collier's MS. notes in copy of Dyce' (Brit. J. P. C.'s Introduction to Coleridge, Seven Lectures A. S. C. in Modern Language Notes, xxi. 112, 113. K. E., Notes on Elizabethan Dramatists, 1889. J. M. in Gentleman's Magazine, Jan. 1841. To the Gentlemen Readers: and others that take pleasure in reading Gentlemen, and curteous Readers whosoeuer: I haue here published in print for your sakes, the two tragical Discourses of the Scythian Shepheard, Tamburlaine, that became so great a Conquerour, and so mightie a Monarque: My hope is, that they wil be now no lesse acceptable vnto you to read 5 after your serious affaires and studies, then they haue bene (lately) delightfull for many of you to see, when the same were shewed in London vpon stages: I haue (purposely) omitted and left out some fond and friuolous Testures, digressing (and in my poore opinion) far vnmeet for the matter, which 10 I thought, might seeme more tedious vnto the wise, than any way els to be regarded, though (happly) they haue bene of some vaine conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, what times they were shewed vpon the stage in their graced deformities: neuertheles now, to be mixtured in print with such matter 15 of worth, it wuld prooue a great disgrace to so honorable & stately a historie: Great folly were it in me, to commend vnto your wisedomes, either the eloquence of the Authour that writ them, or the worthinesse of the matter it selfe; I therefore leaue vnto your learned censures, both the one and 20 the other, and my selfe the poore printer of them vnto your most curteous and fauourable protection; which if you vouchsafe to accept, you shall euermore binde mee to imploy what trauell and seruice I can, to the aduauncing and pleasuring of your excellent degree. Yours, most humble at commaundement, 25 The Two Tragicall Discourses of Mighty Tamburlaine, the Scythian Shepheard, &c. The Prologue. From iygging vaines of riming mother wits, Mycetes, Cosroe, Meander, Theridamas, Ortygius, Mycetes. Brother Cosroe, I find my selfe agreeu'd, Cos. Vnhappie Persea, that in former age 5 10 15 20 Heading The two . . . Tamburlaine 1590: The first part of the two... Tamburlaine 1592: The Tragicall Conquestes of Tamburlaine 1605 8 you please] they passe conj. Coll. 17 Affrica 1605 19 meteors] waters conj. Coll. To shed their influence in his fickle braine, Now Turkes and Tartars shake their swords at thee 25 Mycet. Brother, I see your meaning well enough. But I refer me to my noble men, That knowe my wit, and can be witnesses: Meand. Not for so small a fault my soueraigne Lord. Meander, thou my faithfull Counsellor, 30 35 40 Meand. Oft haue I heard your Maiestie complain, Of Tamburlaine, that sturdie Scythian thiefe, That robs your merchants of Persepolis, 45 Treading by land vnto the Westerne Isles, And in your confines with his lawlesse traine, Hoping (misled by dreaming prophesies) To raigne in Asia, and with barbarous Armes, 50 To make himselfe the Monarch of the East: But ere he march in Asia, or display His vagrant Ensigne in the Persean fields, Your Grace hath taken order by Theridimas, Chardg'd with a thousand horse, to apprehend 55 And bring him Captiue to your Highnesse throne. ✔ Myce. Ful true thou speakst, & like thy selfe my lord Whom I may tearme a Damon for thy loue. To send my thousand horse incontinent, 23 their Dyce etc.: his 1590-1605 vnciuill 1605 60 |