Then, when our powers in points of swords are joined 40 Though strait the passage and the port1 be made And when the princely Persian diadem And fall like mellowed fruit with shakes of death, Shall be my regent and remain as king. Orty. In happy hour we have set the crown Cen. He that with shepherds and a little spoil What will he do supported by a king, 50 And stuffed with treasure for his highest thoughts! Our army will be forty thousand strong, When Tamburlaine and brave Theridamas Have met us by the river Araris ; And all conjoined to meet the witless king, 1 Gate, To whom, sweet Menaphon, direct me straight. Men. I will, my lord. SCENE II. [Exeunt. Enter MYCETES, MEANDER, with other Lords and Soldiers. businers Myc, Come, my Meander, let us to this gear., And kill proud Tamburlaine with point of sword. Meand. Then having past Armenian deserts now, ΤΟ 1 Business. Cf. Edward II., v. 5:"So now must I about this gear." 2 Henry VI., i. 4:—“ Well said, my masters, and welcome all to this gear; the sooner the better." 2 Scurvy, low, paltry. Cf. Antony and Cleopatra, v. 2 :— "Saucy lictors Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers Ballad us out of tune." What should we do but bid them battle straight, They gather strength by power of fresh supplies. Who brings that traitor's head, Theridamas, A Spy. A hundred horsemen of my company 20 30 40 ་་ 1 Espials, spies. Cf. 1 Henry VI., i. 4 :—"The prince's spials have informed me.' • The old form of "champain." Yet being void of martial discipline, Like to the cruel brothers of the earth, Sprong 2 of the teeth of dragons venomous, Their careless swords shall lanch their fellows' throats, And make us triumph in their overthrow. Myc. Was there such brethren, sweet Meander, say, That sprong of teeth of dragons venomous ? Meand. So poets say, my lord. Myc. And 'tis a pretty toy to be a poet. Well, well, Meander, thou art deeply read, Go on, my Lord, and give your charge, I say; Thy wit will make us conquerors to-day. 50 Meand. Then, noble soldiers, to entrap these thieves, That live confounded in disordered troops, up, If wealth or riches may prevail with them, 1 Dyce printed "greedy after spoils." 60 70 2 So the old copies: in the Second Part we have the spelling "sprung." VOL. I. C And live like gentlemen in Persia. Strike up the drum ! and march courageously! Myc. He tells you true, my masters: so he does. Drums, why sound ye not, when Meander speaks ? [Exeunt, drums sounding. SCENE III. Enter COSROE, TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, Techelles, USUMCASANE, and ORTYGIUS, with others. Cos. Now, worthy Tamburlaine, have I reposed In thy approved fortunes all my hope. What think'st thou, man, shall come of our attempts ? For even as from assurèd oracle, I take thy doom for satisfaction. Tamb. And so mistake you not a whit, my Lord; And let my fortunes and my valour sway To some1 direction in your martial deeds, The world will strive with hosts of men at arms, The host of Xerxes, which by fame is said 1 So 4to.-8vo. "scorne," ΙΟ |