Daily commits incivil* outrages, Hoping (misled by dreaming prophecies) Whom I may term a Damon for thy love: 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, * incivil] i. e. barbarous. So the 8vo.-The 4to "unciuill." As did Sir Paris with the Grecian dame: Return with speed; time passeth swift away; THER. Before the moon renew her borrow'd light, MYC. Go, stout Theridamas; thy words are swords, And, from their knees even to their hoofs below, Ah, Menaphon, why stay'st thou thus behind, And foot by foot follow Theridamas. Cos. Nay, pray youf, 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, * rout] i. e. crew. † press] So the 8vo.-The 4to "prease." Which will revolt from Persian government, 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. Mvc. 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! Oh, 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 vexèd soul, To see our neighbours, that were wont to quake *mated] i. e. confounded. Now sit and laugh* our regiment + to scorn; Have swarm'd in troops into the Eastern India, To gain the title of a conqueror By curing of this maimèd empery. How easily may you, with a mighty host, And cause them to withdraw their forces home, [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 ! * sit and laugh] Old eds. “ sits and laughs.” + regiment] i. e. rule, government. resolve] i. e. dissolve. So the 8vo.--The 4to" dissolue." § ships] So the 4to.-The 8vo " shippe." Pass] So the 8vo.-The 4to "Hast." ¶ you] So the 8vo.-The 4to " they." 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, Cos. Well, since I see the state of Persia droop * Ceneus] Here both the old eds. "Cenerus." their] So the 8vo.-The 4to "the." |