To shed their 1 influence in his fickle brain! Now Turks and Tartars shake their swords at thee, Myc. Brother, I see your meaning well enough, But I refer me to my noblemen That know my wit, and can be witnesses. I might command you to be slain for this: Meand. Not for so small a fault, my sovereign lord. Myc. I mean it not, but yet I know I might ; Yet live; yea live, Mycetes wills it so. Meander, thou, my faithful counsellor, Which is, God knows, about that Tamburlaine, 30 That, like a fox in midst of harvest time, And, as I hear, doth mean to pull my plumes: 1 Old copies "his." 40 But ere he march in Asia, or display His vagrant ensign in the Persian fields, Your Grace hath taken order by Theridamas, And bring him captive to your Highness' throne. Whom I may term a Damon for thy love: Therefore 'tis best, if so it like you all, To send my thousand horse incontinent1 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 Ther. Before the moon renew her borrowed light, Doubt not, my Lord and gracious Sovereign, 1 Immediately. 50 60 70 2 Shall either perish by our warlike hands, Or plead for mercy at your Highness' feet. Myc. Go, stout Theridamas, thy words are swords, I long to see thee back return from thence, 80 And from their knees e'en to their hoofs. below Ah, Menaphon, why stay'st thou thus behind, And foot by foot follow Theridamas. Cos. Nay, pray you let him stay; a greater [task]1 Fits Menaphon than warring with a thief: Create him Prorex 2 of all Africa, That he may win the Babylonians' hearts Unless they have a wiser king than you. Myc. "Unless they have a wiser king than you." Cos. And add this to them-that all Asia、 Laments to see the folly of their king. Myc. Well, here I swear by this my royal seat, 1 The modern editors insert the word "task." 90 2 Viceroy. In Day's Parliament of Bees the master-bee is styled "Prorex." Cos. You may do well to kiss it then. Myc. Embossed with silk as best beseems my state, Fled to the Caspian or the Ocean main? 100 [All go out but COSROE and MENAPHON. Men. How now, my Lord? What, mated1 and amazed To hear the king thus threaten like himself! Cos. Ah, Menaphon, I pass not 2 for his threats; The plot is laid by Persian noblemen And captains of the Median garrisons But this it is that doth excruciate The very substance of my vexèd soul— To see our neighbours that were wont to quake 1 Confounded. 110 2 Care not. Cf. 2 Henry VI., iv. 2:—" As for these silken-coated "But what are kings when regiment is gone Have swarmed in troops into the Eastern India, To gain the title of a conqueror By curing of this maimèd empery. Afric and Europe bordering on your land, And continent to your dominions, 120 How easily may you, with a mighty host, Pass into Græcia, as did Cyrus once, 130 And cause them to withdraw their forces home, Lest you subdue the pride of Christendom. Cos. But, Menaphon, what means this trumpet's sound? Men. Behold, my lord, Ortygius and the rest Bringing the crown to make you emperor ! Enter ORTYGIUS and CENEUS, 2 with others, bearing a Crown. Orty. Magnificent and mighty Prince Cosroe, We, in the name of other Persian states $ 3 And Commons of the mighty monarchy, Present thee with the imperial diadem. That heretofore have filled Persepolis Cen. The warlike soldiers and the gentlemen, 140 With Afric captains taken in the field, Whose ransom made them march in coats of gold, And shining stones upon their lofty crests, 1 8vo. "shippe."-4to. "ships." |