SCENE IV.

MYCETES comes out alone with his Crown in his hand, offering to hide it.

Myc. Accursed 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 clouts1 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 I not 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.

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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 the lie?

1 The "clout" was the mark at which the archers aimed, and the "pin" was the nail which fastened it.

So 8vo. Dyce follows the reading of the 4to, “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?

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Myc. Ay, marry am I: have you any suit to me? Tamb. I would entreat you 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 hemmed with armèd men;
Then shalt thou see me pull it from thy head:
Thou art no match for mighty Tamburlaine.

[Exit TAMBURLAINE. Myc. O gods! 'Is this Tamburlaine the thief? I marvel much he stole it not away.

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40

[Sound trumpets to the battle, and he runs in.

SCENE V.

Enter COSROE, TAMBURLAINE, TheRidamas, MenAPHON, MEANDER, ORTYGIUS, 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 crowned thee emperor.

Cos. So do I, thrice renowmèd 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.

Meand. 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 changed,

1 So 4to.-8vo, "chiefe."

ΤΟ

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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 aimed 1 at your behoof,
And sought your state all honour it deserved,
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 scattered troops,)
Farewell, lord regent and his happy friends !
I long to sit upon my brother's throne.

1 So 4to.-8vo. "and."
So 4to.-8vo. "is."
So 4to.-Omitted in 8vo.

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

[All go out but TAMB., TECH., THER., and USUM. Tamb. "And ride in triumph through Persepolis!" 50 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, 'tis 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 enchased with pearl and gold,
Whose virtues carry with it life and death;1
To ask and have, command and be obeyed;
When looks breed love, with looks to gain the prize,
Such power attractive shines in princes' eyes!

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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?

1 Broughton compares 3 Henry VI., i. a:—

"Father, do but think

How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown,
Within whose circuit is Elizium

And all that poets feign of bliss and joy."

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