Having as many bullets in his flesh As there be breaches in her battered wall. Go now, and bind the burghers hand and foot, 160 And cast them headlong in the city's lake. Tartars and Persians shall inhabit there, And to command the city, I will build A [lofty] citadel that all Africa, Which hath been subject to the Persian king, Shall pay me tribute for in Babylon. Tech. What shall be done with their wives and children, my lord? Tamb. Techelles, drown them all, man, woman, and child. Leave not a Babylonian in the town. Tech. I will about it straight. Come, soldiers. 170 [Exit with Soldiers. Tamb. Now, Casane, where's the Turkish Alcoran, And all the heaps of superstitious books Found in the temples of that Mahomet, Whom I have thought a god? They shall be burnt. Tamb. Well said; let there be a fire presently. In vain, I see, men worship Mahomet: My sword hath sent millions of Turks to hell, Slain all his priests, his kinsmen, and his friends, From whom the thunder and the lightning breaks, 180 Now, Mahomet, if thou have any power, Re-enter TECHELLES. Tech. I have fulfilled your highness' will, my lord. Thousands of men, drowned in Asphaltis' lake, Have made the waters swell above the banks, And fishes, fed1 by human carcases, 190 200 Amazed, swim up and down upon the waves, As when they swallow assafoetida, Which makes them fleet aloft and gape for air. Tamb. Well then, my friendly lords, what more remains, But that we leave sufficient garrison, Ther. I, good my lord; let us in haste to Persia, And let this captain be removed the walls To some high hill about the city here. Tamb. Let it be so; about it, soldiers; Tech. What is it dares distemper Tamburlaine? Tamb. Something, Techelles; but I know not what— But forth, ye vassals! whatsoe'er it be, Sickness or death can never conquer me. [Exeunt. 220 SCENE II. Enter CALLAPINE, the King of Amasia, and Soldiers, with drums and trumpets. Call. King of Amasia, now our mighty host If God or Mahomet send any aid. Ama. Doubt not, my lord, but we shall conquer him. The monster that hath drunk a sea of blood, And yet gapes still for more to quench his thirst, Our Turkish swords shall headlong send to hell, And that vile carcase drawn by warlike kings Ah, sacred Mahomet! thou that hast seen Kingdoms made waste, brave cities sacked and burnt, Ama. Fear not, my lord; I see great Mahomet 20 30 40 Call. Captain, the force of Tamburlaine is great, His fortune greater, and the victories Wherewith he hath so sore dismayed the world Are greatest to discourage all our drifts; Yet when the pride of Cynthia is at full, Nor ploughman, priest, nor merchant, stays at home: 50 And never will we sunder camps and arms This is the time that must eternise me For conquering the tyrant of the world. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Enter THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, and USUMCASANE. Ther. Weep, heavens, and vanish into liquid tears! Fall, stars that govern his nativity, And summon all the shining lamps of heaven To cast their bootless fires to the earth, 10 |