Yet being void of martial discipline, And more regarding gain than victory, Like to the cruel brothers of the earth, Sprong2 of the teeth of dragons venomous, Their careless swords shall lanch their fellows' throats, And make us triumph in their overthrow. 50 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. Meand. Then, noble soldiers, to entrap these thieves, That live confounded in disordered troops, 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 assured oracle, I take thy doom for satisfaction. Tamb. And so mistake you not a whit, my Lord; And make them blest that share in his attempts. And doubt you not but, if you favour me, And let my fortunes and my valour sway The world will strive with hosts of men at arms, The host of Xerxes, which by fame is said ΙΟ Our quivering lances, shaking in the air, 20 Ther. You hear, my Lord, what working words he hath; As I shall be commended and excused Tech. With duty and 3 with amity we yield. Our utmost service to the fair Cosroe. Cos. Which I esteem as portion of my crown. When she that rules in Rhamnus' 4 golden gates, Then shall your meeds 5 and valours be advanced 1 Dyce reads "top," which gives excellent sense. 2 8vo. 66 thrust."-4to. "thrist." 4 Broughton quotes from Locrine :— 3 So 4to.-8vo. "not." "She that rules fair Rhamnus' golden gates Grant us the honour of the victory." 330 40 The old copies read "Rhamnis." The allusion is of course to Nemesis, who had a temple at Rhamnus in Attica. 5 So 8vo.-4to. "deeds." k Tamb. Then haste, Cosroe, to be king alone, Of such a burthen as outweighs the sands Enter a Messenger. Mes. My lord, we have discovered the enemy Ready to charge you with a mighty army. 50 Cos. Come, Tamburlaine! now whet thy wingèd sword, And lift thy lofty arm into the clouds, That it may reach the king of Persia's crown, Tamb. See where it is, the keenest curtle axe Cos. Thy words assüre me of kind success; Tamb. Usumcasane and Techelles, come! And more than needs to make an emperor. 60 [They go out to the battle. SCENE IV. MYCETES comes out alone with his Crown in his hand, Myc. Accursed be he that first invented war! If Nature had not given me wisdom's lore, 1 For kings are clouts 1 that every man shoots at, They cannot take away my crown from me. Enter TAMBUrlaine. Fretical 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.” ΙΟ |