And with thy looks thou conquerest all thy foes;
I long to see thee back return from thence,
That I may view these milk-white steeds of mine
All loaden with the heads of killed men,
And from their knees e'en to their hoofs below
Besmear'd with blood that makes a dainty show.
Ther. Then now, my Lord, I humbly take my

leave. Myc. Theridamas, farewell! ten thousand times.

[Exit Theridamas. Ah, Menaphon, why stay'st thou thus behind, When other men press forward for renown? Go, Menaphon, go into Scythia; And foot by foot follow Theridamas.

Cos. Nay, pray you let him stay; a greater [task] Fits Menaphon than warring with a thief: Create him Prorex of all Africa, That he may win the Babylonian hearts Which will revolt from Persian government, Unless they have a wiser king than you.

Myc. “ Unless they have a wiser king than you." These are his words; Meander, set them down.

Cos. And add this to them, that all Asia
Laments to see the folly of their king.

Myc. Well, here I swear by this my royal seat,
Cos. You may do well to kiss it then.

Myc. Emboss'd with silk as best beseems my state, To be reveng'd for these contemptuous words.

• This word, or one of similar import, has been dropped at the press.

Cos. ab, Menaphon, I pass nott for his threats ;
But this it is that doth excruciate
And tremble at the Persian monarch's name,
And that, which might resolve me into tears -
Men from the farthest equinoctial line
Hare swarm'd in troops into the Eastern India,
Lading their ships with gold and precious stones,
And made their spoils from all our provinces.
Since Fortune gives you opportunity

Mes. This should entreat your highness to rejoice,
By curing of this maimed empery.

pass not-care not.
6.1.] TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT.
0, where is duty and allegiance now?
Fled to the Caspian or the Ocean main ?
What shall I call thee? Brother?—No, a foe;
Monster of nature !—Shame unto thy stock
That dar'st presume thy sovereign for to mock!
Meander, come! I am abus’d, Meander.

(All go out but Cosroe and Menaphon.
Ver. How now, my Lord? What, mated* and

amaz'd
To bear the king thus threaten like himself!
The plot is laid by Persian noblemen
Add captains of the Median garrisons
To crown me emperor of Asia :
The very substance of

vexed soul
To see our neighbours that were wont to quake
Now sit and laugh our

regiment to scorn;
To gain the title of

conqueror

my

а

Afric and Europe bord'ring on your land,
And continent to your dominions,
How eas'ly may you, with a mighty host,
Pass into Grecia, as did Cyrus once !
And cause them to withdraw their forces home,
Lest

you subdue the pride of Christendom. Cos. But, Menaphon, what means this trumpet's

sound? Men. Behold, my lord, Ortygius and the rest Bringing the crown to make you emperor! Enter ORTYGIus and CENEUS, with others, bearing

a Crown. Orty. Magnificent and mighty Prince Cosroe, We, in the name of other Persian states And Commons of the mighty monarchy, Present thee with th' imperial diadem.

Cen. The warlike soldiers and the gentlemen, That heretofore have fill'd Persepolis With Afric captains taken in the field, Whose ransom made them march in coats of gold, With costly jewels hanging at their ears, And shining stones upon their lofty crests, Now living idle in the walled towns, Wanting both pay and martial discipline, Begin in troops to threaten civil war, And openly exclaim against their king : Therefore, to stop all sudden mutinies, We will invest your highness emperor, Whereat the soldiers will conceive more joy, Than did the Macedonians at the spoil

estate.

And of the ever-raging Caspian Lake.

ALL. Long live Cosroe, mighty emperor!
Than I may seek to gratify your love,
And cause the soldiers that thus honour me
I doubt not shortly but to reign sole king,
(Whither we presently will fly, my lords)

ORTY. We knew, my lord, before we brought the
The residence of your despised brother,
The lords would not be too exasperate

SC. 1.) TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT.
Of great Darius and his wealthy host.

Cos. Well, since I see the state of Persia droop
And languish in my brother's government,
I wllingly receive th' imperial crown,
And row to wear it for my country's good,
In spite of them shall malice

my
OBTE. And in assurance of desir'd success,
We bere do crown thee monarch of the East,
Emperor of Asia and of Persia ;
Great Lord of Media and Armenia ;
Duke of Africa and Albania,
Mesopotamia and of Parthia,
East India and the late discover'd isles;
Chief lord of all the vast wide Euxine Sea,

Cos. And Jove may never let me longer live
To triumph

over many provinces,
By whose desire of discipline in arms
And with the army of Theridamas,
To rest secure against

Crown,
I stending your investion so near

my

brother's force.

To injure or suppress your worthy title;
Or, if they would, there are in readiness
Ten thousand horse to carry you from hence,
In spite of all suspected enemies.
Cos. I know it well, my lord, and thank you

all. Orty. Sound up the trumpets thenGod save the king !

[Exeunt omnes:

SCENE II. Enter TAMBURLAINE, leading Zerocrate, fol

loved by TECHELLES, USUNCASANE, AGYDAS, MAGNETES, Lords, and Soldiers, loaded with Treasure.

Tamb.Come, lady, let not this appal your thoughts; The jewels and the treasure we have ta'en Shall be reserv'd, and you in better state, Than if you were arriv'd in Syria, Even in the circle of your father's arms, The mighty soldan of Egyptia.

Zeno. Ah, shepherd! pity my distressed plight, (If, as thou seem'st, thou art so mean a man,) And seek not to enrich thy followers By lawless rapine from a silly maid, Who travelling with these Median lords To Memphis, from my uncle's country of Media, Where, all my youth, I have been governed, Have past the army of the mighty Turk, Bearing his privy signet and his hand To safe conduct us thorough Africa.

MAG. And since we have arrived in Scythia,