SCENE IV. MYCETES comes out alone with his Crown in his hand, offering to hide it. Myc. Accursed be he that first invented war! If Nature had not given me wisdom's lore, To hide it close; a goodly stratagem, 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. IO 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 2 the lie? 1 The "clout" was the mark at which the archers aimed, and the "pin" was the nail which fastened it. 2 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 ? 20 Myc. Aye, 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. 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. 30 [Exit TAMBURLaine. Myc. O gods! Is this Tamburlaine the thief? I marvel much he stole it not away. 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 Cos. So do I, thrice renowmèd man at arms, On your submission we with thanks excuse, Meand. Most happiest 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, 1 So 4to.-8vo. "chiefe." 10 20 From one that knew not what a king should do, With twenty thousand expert soldiers, Orty. And as we ever aimed 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, 30 40 1 So 4to.-8vo. "and." 2 So 4to.-8vo. "is." 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. 1 60 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. 2 :— "Father, do but think How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown, And all that poets feign of bliss and joy." 70 |