Tamburlaine the Great. Who, from a Scythian Shephearde by his rare and woonderfull Conquests, became a most puissant and mightye Monarque. And (for his tyranny, and terrour in Warre) was tearmed, The Scourge of God. Deuided into two Tragicall Discourses, as they were sundrie times shewed vpon Stages in the Citie of London. By the right honorable the Lord Admyrall, his seruauntes. Now first, and newlie published. London. Printed by Richard Ihones: at the signe of the Rose and Crowne neere Holborne Bridge. 1590. 4to. The above title-page is pasted into a copy of the First Part of Tamburlaine in the Library at Bridge-water House; which copy, excepting that title-page and the Address to the Readers, is the impression of 1605. I once supposed that the title-pages which bear the dates 1605 and 1606 (see below) had been added to the 4tos of the Two Parts of the play originally printed in 1590; but I am now convinced that both Parts were really reprinted, The First Part in 1605, and The Second Part in 1606, and that nothing remains of the earlier 4tos, except the titlepage and the Address to the Readers, which are preserved in the Bridge-water collection. In the Bodleian Library, Oxford, is an 8vo edition of both Parts of Tamburlaine, dated 1590: the title-page of The First Part agrees verbatim with that given above; the half-titlepage of The Second Part is as follows: The Second Part of The bloody Conquests of mighty Tamburlaine. With his impassionate fury, for the death of his Lady and love faire Zenocrate: his fourme of exhortacion and discipline to his three sons, and the maner of his own death. In the Garrick Collection, British Museum, is an 8vo edition of both Parts dated 1592: the title-page of The First Part runs thus; Tamburlaine the Great. Who, from a Scythian Shepheard, by his rare and wonderfull Conquestes, became a most puissant and mightie Mornarch [sic]: And (for his tyrannie, and terrour in warre) was tearmed, The Scourge of God. The first part of the two Tragicall discourses, as they were sundrie times most stately shewed vpon Stages in the Citie of London. By the right honorable the Lord Admirall, his seruauntes. Now newly published. Printed by Richard Iones, dwelling at the signe of the Rose and Crowne neere Holborne Bridge. The half-title-page of The Second Part agrees exactly with that already given. Perhaps the 8vo at Oxford and that in the British Museum (for I have not had an opportunity of comparing them) are the same impression, differing only in the title-pages. Langbaine (Account of Engl. Dram. Poets, p. 344) mentions an 8vo dated 1593. The title-pages of the latest impressions of The Two Parts are as follows; Tamburlaine the Greate. Who, from the state of a Shepheard in Scythia, by his rare and wonderfull Conquests, became a most puissant and mighty Monarque. London Printed for Edward White, and are to be solde at the little North doore of Saint Paules-Church, at the signe of the Gunne, 1605. 4to. Tamburlaine the Greate. With his impassionate furie, for the death of his Lady and Loue faire Zenocrate: his forme of exhortation and discipline to his three Sonnes, and the manner of his owne death. The second part. London Printed by E. A, for Ed. White, and are to be solde at his Shop neere the little North doore of Saint Paules Church at the Signe of the Gun. 1606. 4to. The text of the present edition is given from the 8vo of 1592, collated with the 4tos of 1605-6. To the Gentlemen-readers* and others that take pleasure in reading histories.+ I GENTLEMEN and courteous readers whosoever : 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 supp. 85, 86-87 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 time they were shewed upon the stage in their To the Gentlemen-readers, &c.] From the 8vo of 1592: in the 4tos this address is worded here and there differently. I have not thought it necessary to mark the varia lectiones of the worthy printer's composition. ↑ histories] i. e. dramas so called,-plays founded on history. fond] i. e. foolish. Concerning the omissions here alluded to, some remarks will be found in the Account of Marlowe and his Writings. |