How those, who're hit by pelting cannon shot, If Nature had not giv'n me wisdom's lore, To hide it close; a goodly stratagem, So shall I not be known; or if I be, They can not take away my crown from me. Enter TAMBURLAINE. TAME. What fearful coward's straggling from the camp, When kings themselves are present in the field? TAMB. Base villain, dar'st thou give 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. Aye, marry am I: have you any suit to me? TAMB. I would entreat you but to speak three wise words. Myc. So I can when I see my time. TAMB. Is this your crown? Myc. Aye, 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. [Exit Tamb. MYC. O gods! Is this Tamburlaine the thief? I marvel much he stole it not away. [Trumpets sound to the battle: Mycetes runs out. 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, Cos. So do I, thrice-renowned man at arms, Meander, you, that were our brother's guide, 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, With twenty thousand expert soldiers. And grace your calling with a greater sway. ORTY. And as we ever aim'd at your behoof, Cos. I will not thank thee, sweet Ortygius ; And now, Lord Tamburlaine, my brother's camp To follow me to fair Persepolis. Then will I march to all those Indian mines, MEAND. Your majesty shall shortly have your wish, [All go out but Tamb. Tech. Ther. and Usum. Is it not passing brave to be a king, TAMB. Why say, Theridamas, wilt thou be a king? kings? TECH. If I could, with all my heart, my lord. would I, And so would you, my masters, would you not? 80 TAMB. Why then, Casane, shall we wish for ought 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 wond'rous 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. As if the Turk, the Pope, Afric, and Greece, 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 |