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 Meand. Suppose they be in number infinite, 20 30 40 1 Espials, spies. Cf. 1 Henry VI. i. 4:-"The prince's spials have informed me.' 2 The old form of "champain." Yet being void of martial discipline, And more regarding gain than victory, Like to the cruel brothers of the earth, Their careless swords shall lanch their fellows' throats, 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, 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 48 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 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; Would make one thirst 2 and strive to be retained Tech. With duty and 3 with amity we yield 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. 66 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." 30 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." Tamb. Then haste, Cosroe, to be king alone, Enter a Messenger. Mes. My lord, we have discoverèd 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. |