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Our quivering lances, shaking in the air,
And bullets, like Jove's dreadful thunderbolts,
Enrolled in flames and fiery smouldering mists,
Shall threat the gods more than Cyclopian wars :
And with our sun-bright armour as we march,
We'll chase the stars from heaven and dim their eyes
That stand and muse at our admirèd arms.

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Ther. You see, my Lord, what working words he hath; But when you see his actions stop1 his speech, Your speech will stay or so extol his worth As I shall be commended and excused

For turning my poor charge to his direction.
And these his two renowmèd friends, my lord,

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Would make one thirst 2 and strive to be retained
In such a great degree of amity.

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. Usumcasane and Techelles both,

4

When she that rules in Rhamnus' golden gates,

And makes a passage for all prosperous arms,
Shall make me solely emperor of Asia,

Then shall your meeds 5 and valours be advanced
To rooms of honour and nobility.

1 Dyce reads "top," which gives excellent sense.

2 8vo. 66

thrust."-4to. "thrist."

Broughton quotes from Locrine :—

3 So 4to.-8vo. "not."

"She that rules fair Rhamnus' golden gates

Grant us the honour of the victory."

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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,
That I with these, my friends, and all my men
May triumph in our long-expected fate.—

The king, your brother, is now hard at hand;
Meet with the fool, and rid your royal shoulders
Of such a burthen as outweighs the sands
And all the craggy rocks of Caspia.

Enter a Messenger.

Mes. My lord, we have discovered the enemy Ready to charge you with a mighty army.

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Cos. Come, Tamburlaine! now whet thy winged

sword,

And lift thy lofty arm into the clouds,

That it may reach the king of Persia's crown,
And set it safe on my victorious head.

Tamb. See where it is, the keenest curtle axe
That e'er made passage thorough Persian arms.
These are the wings shall make it fly as swift
As doth the lightning or the breath of Heaven,
And kill as sure as it swiftly flies.

Cos. Thy words assure me of kind success;
Go, valiant soldier, go before and charge
The fainting army of that foolish king.

Tamb. Usumcasane and Techelles, come !
We are enow to scare the enemy,
And more than needs to make an emperor.

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[They go out to the battle.

SCENE IV.

MYCETES comes out alone with his Crown in his hand, offering to hide it.

Myc. Accursed be he that first invented war!)
They knew not, ah they knew not, simple men,
How those were hit by pelting cannon shot,
Stand staggering like a quivering aspen leaf
Fearing the force of Boreas' boisterous blasts.
In what a lamentable case were I

If Nature had not given me wisdom's lore,
For kings are clouts1 that every man shoots at,
Our crown the pin that thousands seek to cleave;
Therefore in policy I think it good

To hide it close; a goodly stratagem,
And far from any man that is a fool:

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?

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Myc. Ay, 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. Ay, 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.
Here; take it for a while: I lend it thee,
'Till I may see thee hemmed with armèd men;
Then shalt thou see me pull it from thy head:
Thou art no match for mighty Tamburlaine.

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[Exit TAMBURLAINE. Myc. O gods! Is this Tamburlaine the thief? I marvel much he stole it not away.

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[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
With greatest pomp, had crowned thee emperor.

Cos. So do I, thrice renowmèd man-at-arms,
And none shall keep the crown but Tamburlaine.
Thee do I make my regent of Persia,
And general lieutenant of my armies.
Meander, you, that were our brother's guide,
And chiefest1 counsellor in all his acts,
Since he is yielded to the stroke of war,

On your submission we with thanks excuse,
And give you equal place in our affairs.

Meand. Most happy 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,
And let them know the Persian king is changed,

1 So 4to.-8vo. "chiefe."

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