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diff --git a/old/1094.txt b/old/1094.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6400dfa --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1094.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4656 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Tamburlaine the Great, Part I., by Christopher Marlowe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tamburlaine the Great, Part I. + +Author: Christopher Marlowe + +Posting Date: August 5, 2008 [EBook #1094] +Release Date: November, 1997 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT, PART I. *** + + + + +Produced by Gary R. Young + + + + + +TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT, + +IN TWO PARTS. + +This is Part I. + +By Christopher Marlowe + +Edited By The Rev. Alexander Dyce. + + +TRANSCRIBER'S COMMENTS ON THE PREPARATION OF THE E-TEXT: + + +SQUARE BRACKETS: + +The square brackets, i.e. [ ] are copied from the printed book, +without change, except that the stage directions usually do not +have closing brackets. These have been added. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +For this E-Text version of the book, the footnotes have been +consolidated at the end of the play. + +Numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote +is given a unique identity in the form [XXX]. + + +CHANGES TO THE TEXT: + +Character names were expanded. For Example, TAMBURLAINE was +TAMB., ZENOCRATE was ZENO., etc. + + +GREEK: +One word, appearing in note 115, was printed in Greek Characters. +This word has been transliterated as <<deiktikos>>. + + + + Tamburlaine the Great. Who, from a Scythian Shephearde + by his rare and woonderfull Conquests, became a most + puissant and mightye Monarque. And (for his tyranny, + and terrour in Warre) was tearmed, The Scourge of God. + Deuided into two Tragicall Discourses, as they were + sundrie times shewed vpon Stages in the Citie of London. + By the right honorable the Lord Admyrall, his seruauntes. + Now first, and newlie published. London. Printed by + Richard Ihones: at the signe of the Rose and Crowne + neere Holborne Bridge. 1590. 4to. + +The above title-page is pasted into a copy of the FIRST PART OF +TAMBURLAINE in the Library at Bridge-water House; which copy, +excepting that title-page and the Address to the Readers, is the +impression of 1605. I once supposed that the title-pages which +bear the dates 1605 and 1606 (see below) had been added to the +4tos of the TWO PARTS of the play originally printed in 1590; +but I am now convinced that both PARTS were really reprinted, +THE FIRST PART in 1605, and THE SECOND PART in 1606, and that +nothing remains of the earlier 4tos, except the title-page and +the Address to the Readers, which are preserved in the Bridge- +water collection. + +In the Bodleian Library, Oxford, is an 8vo edition of both PARTS +OF TAMBURLAINE, dated 1590: the title-page of THE FIRST PART +agrees verbatim with that given above; the half-title-page of +THE SECOND PART is as follows; + + The Second Part of The bloody Conquests of mighty + Tamburlaine. With his impassionate fury, for the death + of his Lady and loue faire Zenocrate; his fourme of + exhortacion and discipline to his three sons, and the + maner of his own death. + +In the Garrick Collection, British Museum, is an 8vo edition of +both PARTS dated 1592: the title-page of THE FIRST PART runs +thus; + + Tamburlaine the Great. Who, from a Scythian Shepheard, + by his rare and wonderfull Conquestes, became a most + puissant and mightie Mornarch [sic]: And (for his + tyrannie, and terrour in warre) was tearmed, The Scourge + of God. The first part of the two Tragicall discourses, + as they were sundrie times most stately shewed vpon + Stages in the Citie of London. By the right honorable + the Lord Admirall, his seruauntes. Now newly published. + Printed by Richard Iones, dwelling at the signe of the + Rose and Crowne neere Holborne Bridge. + +The half-title-page of THE SECOND PART agrees exactly with that +already given. Perhaps the 8vo at Oxford and that in the British +Museum (for I have not had an opportunity of comparing them) are +the same impression, differing only in the title-pages. + +Langbaine (ACCOUNT OF ENGL. DRAM. POETS, p. 344) mentions an 8vo +dated 1593. + +The title-pages of the latest impressions of THE TWO PARTS are +as follows; + + Tamburlaine the Greate. Who, from the state of a + Shepheard in Scythia, by his rare and wonderfull + Conquests, became a most puissant and mighty Monarque. + London Printed for Edward White, and are to be solde + at the little North doore of Saint Paules-Church, at + the signe of the Gunne, 1605. 4to. + + Tamburlaine the Greate. With his impassionate furie, + for the death of his Lady and Loue fair Zenocrate: his + forme of exhortation and discipline to his three Sonnes, + and the manner of his owne death. The second part. + London Printed by E. A. for Ed. White, and are to be + solde at his Shop neere the little North doore of Saint + Paules Church at the Signe of the Gun. 1606. 4to. + +The text of the present edition is given from the 8vo of 1592, +collated with the 4tos of 1605-6. + + + + +TO THE GENTLEMEN-READERS [1] AND OTHERS THAT TAKE PLEASURE +IN READING HISTORIES. [2] + +Gentlemen and courteous readers whosoever: I have here published +in print, for your sakes, the two tragical discourses of the +Scythian shepherd Tamburlaine, that became so great a conqueror +and so mighty a monarch. My hope is, that they will be now no +less acceptable unto you to read after your serious affairs and +studies than they have been lately delightful for many of you to +see when the same were shewed in London upon stages. I have +purposely omitted and left out some fond [3] and frivolous +gestures, +digressing, and, in my poor opinion, far unmeet for the matter, +which I thought might seem more tedious unto the wise than any +way else to be regarded, though haply they have been of some +vain-conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, what time they were +shewed upon the stage in their graced deformities: nevertheless +now to be mixtured in print with such matter of worth, it would +prove a great disgrace to so honourable and stately a history. +Great folly were it in me to commend unto your wisdoms either the +eloquence of the author that writ them or the worthiness of the +matter itself. I therefore leave unto your learned censures [4] +both the one and the other, and myself the poor printer of them +unto your most courteous and favourable protection; which if you +vouchsafe to accept, you shall evermore bind me to employ what +travail and service I can to the advancing and pleasuring of your +excellent degree. + Yours, most humble at commandment, + R[ichard] J[ones], printer. + + + +THE FIRST PART OF TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT. + + + + +THE PROLOGUE. + + From jigging veins of rhyming mother-wits, + And such conceits as clownage keeps in pay, + We'll lead you to the stately tent of war, + Where you shall hear the Scythian Tamburlaine + Threatening the world with high astounding terms, + And scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword. + View but his picture in this tragic glass, + And then applaud his fortunes as you please. + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE. + + MYCETES, king of Persia. + COSROE, his brother. + MEANDER, ] + THERIDAMAS, ] + ORTYGIUS, ] Persian lords. + CENEUS, ] + MENAPHON, ] + TAMBURLAINE, a Scythian shepherd. + TECHELLES, ] + USUMCASANE, ] his followers. + BAJAZETH, emperor of the Turks. + KING OF FEZ. + KING OF MOROCCO. + KING OF ARGIER. + KING OF ARABIA. + SOLDAN OF EGYPT. + GOVERNOR OF DAMASCUS. + AGYDAS, ] + MAGNETES, ] Median lords. + CAPOLIN, an Egyptian. + PHILEMUS, Bassoes, Lords, Citizens, Moors, Soldiers, and + Attendants. + + ZENOCRATE, daughter to the Soldan of Egypt. + ANIPPE, her maid. + ZABINA, wife to BAJAZETH. + EBEA, her maid. + Virgins of Damascus. + + + + +THE FIRST PART OF TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT. + + + + +ACT I. + + + + +SCENE I. + + Enter MYCETES, COSROE, MEANDER, THERIDAMAS, ORTYGIUS, + CENEUS, MENAPHON, with others. + + MYCETES. Brother Cosroe, I find myself agriev'd; + Yet insufficient to express the same, + For it requires a great and thundering speech: + Good brother, tell the cause unto my lords; + I know you have a better wit than I. + + COSROE. Unhappy Persia,--that in former age + Hast been the seat of mighty conquerors, + That, in their prowess and their policies, + Have triumph'd over Afric, [5] and the bounds + Of Europe where the sun dares scarce appear + For freezing meteors and congealed cold,-- + Now to be rul'd and govern'd by a man + At whose birth-day Cynthia with Saturn join'd, + And Jove, the Sun, and Mercury denied + To shed their [6] influence in his fickle brain! + Now Turks and Tartars shake their swords at thee, + Meaning to mangle all thy provinces. + + MYCETES. Brother, I see your meaning well enough, + And through [7] your planets I perceive you think + I am not wise enough to be a king: + But I refer me to my noblemen, + That know my wit, and can be witnesses. + I might command you to be slain for this,-- + Meander, might I not? + + MEANDER. Not for so small a fault, my sovereign lord. + + MYCETES. I mean it not, but yet I know I might.-- + Yet live; yea, live; Mycetes wills it so.-- + Meander, thou, my faithful counsellor, + Declare the cause of my conceived grief, + Which is, God knows, about that Tamburlaine, + That, like a fox in midst of harvest-time, + Doth prey upon my flocks of passengers; + And, as I hear, doth mean to pull my plumes: + Therefore 'tis good and meet for to be wise. + + MEANDER. Oft have I heard your majesty complain + Of Tamburlaine, that sturdy Scythian thief, + That robs your merchants of Persepolis + Trading by land unto the Western Isles, + And in your confines with his lawless train + Daily commits incivil [8] outrages, + Hoping (misled by dreaming prophecies) + To reign in Asia, and with barbarous arms + To make himself the monarch of the East: + But, ere he march in Asia, or display + His vagrant ensign in the Persian fields, + Your grace hath taken order by Theridamas, + Charg'd with a thousand horse, to apprehend + And bring him captive to your highness' throne. + + MYCETES. Full true thou speak'st, and like thyself, my lord, + Whom I may term a Damon for thy love: + Therefore 'tis best, if so it like you all, + To send my thousand horse incontinent [9] + To apprehend that paltry Scythian. + How like you this, my honourable lords? + Is it not a kingly resolution? + + COSROE. It cannot choose, because it comes from you. + + MYCETES. Then hear thy charge, valiant Theridamas, + The chiefest [10] captain of Mycetes' host, + The hope of Persia, and the very legs + Whereon our state doth lean as on a staff, + That holds us up and foils our neighbour foes: + Thou shalt be leader of this thousand horse, + Whose foaming gall with rage and high disdain + Have sworn the death of wicked Tamburlaine. + Go frowning forth; but come thou smiling home, + As did Sir Paris with the Grecian dame: + Return with speed; time passeth swift away; + Our life is frail, and we may die to-day. + + THERIDAMAS. Before the moon renew her borrow'd light, + Doubt not, my lord and gracious sovereign, + But Tamburlaine and that Tartarian rout [11] + Shall either perish by our warlike hands, + Or plead for mercy at your highness' feet. + + MYCETES. Go, stout Theridamas; thy words are swords, + 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 even to their hoofs below, + Besmear'd with blood that makes a dainty show. + + THERIDAMAS. Then now, my lord, I humbly take my leave. + + MYCETES. Theridamas, farewell ten thousand times. + + [Exit THERIDAMAS.] + + Ah, Menaphon, why stay'st thou thus behind, + When other men press [12] forward for renown? + Go, Menaphon, go into Scythia, + And foot by foot follow Theridamas. + + COSROE. Nay, pray you, [13] let him stay; a greater [task] + Fits Menaphon than warring with a thief: + Create him pro-rex of all [14] Africa, + That he may win the Babylonians' hearts, + Which will revolt from Persian government, + Unless they have a wiser king than you. + + MYCETES. Unless they have a wiser king than you! + These are his words; Meander, set them down. + + COSROE. And add this to them,--that all Asia + Lament to see the folly of their king. + + MYCETES. Well, here I swear by this my royal seat-- + + COSROE. You may do well to kiss it, then. + + MYCETES. Emboss'd with silk as best beseems my state, + To be reveng'd for these contemptuous words! + O, 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. + + [Exeunt all except COSROE and MENAPHON.] + + MENAPHON. How now, my lord! what, mated [15] and amaz'd + To hear the king thus threaten like himself! + + COSROE. Ah, Menaphon, I pass not [16] for his threats! + The plot is laid by Persian noblemen + And captains of the Median garrisons + To crown me emperor of Asia: + But this it is that doth excruciate + The very substance of my vexed soul, + To see our neighbours, that were wont to quake + And tremble at the Persian monarch's name, + Now sit and laugh our regiment [17] to scorn; + And that which might resolve [18] me into tears, + Men from the farthest equinoctial line + Have swarm'd in troops into the Eastern India, + Lading their ships [19] with gold and precious stones, + And made their spoils from all our provinces. + + MENAPHON. This should entreat your highness to rejoice, + Since Fortune gives you opportunity + To gain the title of a conqueror + By curing of this maimed empery. + Afric and Europe bordering on your land, + And continent to your dominions, + How easily may you, with a mighty host, + Pass [20] into Graecia, as did Cyrus once, + And cause them to withdraw their forces home, + Lest you [21] subdue the pride of Christendom! + + [Trumpet within.] + + COSROE. But, Menaphon, what means this trumpet's sound? + + MENAPHON. Behold, my lord, Ortygius and the rest + Bringing the crown to make you emperor! + + Re-enter ORTYGIUS and CENEUS, [22] with others, bearing a + crown. + + ORTYGIUS. Magnificent and mighty prince Cosroe, + We, in the name of other Persian states [23] + And commons of this mighty monarchy, + Present thee with th' imperial diadem. + + CENEUS. 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 [24] king: + Therefore, to stay all sudden mutinies, + We will invest your highness emperor; + Whereat the soldiers will conceive more joy + Than did the Macedonians at the spoil + Of great Darius and his wealthy host. + + COSROE. Well, since I see the state of Persia droop + And languish in my brother's government, + I willingly receive th' imperial crown, + And vow to wear it for my country's good, + In spite of them shall malice my estate. + + ORTYGIUS. And, in assurance of desir'd success, + We here do crown thee monarch of the East [;] + Emperor of Asia and Persia; [25] + 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 wide vast Euxine Sea, + And of the ever-raging [26] Caspian Lake. + + ALL. [27] Long live Cosroe, mighty emperor! + + COSROE. And Jove may [28] never let me longer live + Than I may seek to gratify your love, + And cause the soldiers that thus honour me + To triumph over many provinces! + By whose desires of discipline in arms + I doubt not shortly but to reign sole king, + And with the army of Theridamas + (Whither we presently will fly, my lords,) + To rest secure against my brother's force. + + ORTYGIUS. We knew, [29] my lord, before we brought the crown, + Intending your investion so near + The residence of your despised brother, + The lords [30] would not be too exasperate + To injury [31] 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. + + COSROE. I know it well, my lord, and thank you all. + + ORTYGIUS. Sound up the trumpets, then. + + [Trumpets sounded.] + + ALL. [32] God save the king! + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE II. + + Enter TAMBURLAINE leading ZENOCRATE, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, + AGYDAS, MAGNETES, LORDS, and SOLDIERS loaden with treasure. + + TAMBURLAINE. 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 Aegyptia. + + ZENOCRATE. 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 [33] with these Median lords + To Memphis, from my uncle's country of Media, + Where, all my youth, I have been governed, + Have pass'd the army of the mighty Turk, + Bearing his privy-signet and his hand + To safe-conduct us thorough [34] Africa. + + MAGNETES. And, since we have arriv'd in Scythia, + Besides rich presents from the puissant Cham, + We have his highness' letters to command + Aid and assistance, if we stand in need. + + TAMBURLAINE. But now you see these letters and commands + Are countermanded by a greater man; + And through my provinces you must expect + Letters of conduct from my mightiness, + If you intend to keep your treasure safe. + But, since I love to live at liberty, + As easily may you get the Soldan's crown + As any prizes out of my precinct; + For they are friends that help to wean my state + Till men and kingdoms help to strengthen it, + And must maintain my life exempt from servitude.-- + But, tell me, madam, is your grace betroth'd? + + ZENOCRATE. I am, my lord,--for so you do import. + + TAMBURLAINE. I am a lord, for so my deeds shall prove; + And yet a shepherd by my parentage. + But, lady, this fair face and heavenly hue + Must grace his bed that conquers Asia, + And means to be a terror to the world, + Measuring the limits of his empery + By east and west, as Phoebus doth his course.-- + Lie here, ye weeds, that I disdain to wear! + This complete armour and this curtle-axe + Are adjuncts more beseeming Tamburlaine.-- + And, madam, whatsoever you esteem + Of this success, and loss unvalued, [35] + Both may invest you empress of the East; + And these that seem but silly country swains + May have the leading of so great an host + As with their weight shall make the mountains quake, + Even as when windy exhalations, + Fighting for passage, tilt within the earth. + + TECHELLES. As princely lions, when they rouse themselves, + Stretching their paws, and threatening herds of beasts, + So in his armour looketh Tamburlaine. + Methinks I see kings kneeling at his feet, + And he with frowning brows and fiery looks + Spurning their crowns from off their captive heads. + + USUMCASANE. And making thee and me, Techelles, kings, + That even to death will follow Tamburlaine. + + TAMBURLAINE. Nobly resolv'd, sweet friends and followers! + These lords perhaps do scorn our estimates, + And think we prattle with distemper'd spirits: + But, since they measure our deserts so mean, + That in conceit [36] bear empires on our spears, + Affecting thoughts coequal with the clouds, + They shall be kept our forced followers + Till with their eyes they view us emperors. + + ZENOCRATE. The gods, defenders of the innocent. + Will never prosper your intended drifts, + That thus oppress poor friendless passengers. + Therefore at least admit us liberty, + Even as thou hop'st to be eternized + By living Asia's mighty emperor. + + AGYDAS. I hope our lady's treasure and our own + May serve for ransom to our liberties: + Return our mules and empty camels back, + That we may travel into Syria, + Where her betrothed lord, Alcidamus, + Expects the arrival of her highness' person. + + MAGNETES. And wheresoever we repose ourselves, + We will report but well of Tamburlaine. + + TAMBURLAINE. Disdains Zenocrate to live with me? + Or you, my lords, to be my followers? + Think you I weigh this treasure more than you? + Not all the gold in India's wealthy arms + Shall buy the meanest soldier in my train. + Zenocrate, lovelier than the love of Jove, + Brighter than is the silver Rhodope, [37] + Fairer than whitest snow on Scythian hills, + Thy person is more worth to Tamburlaine + Than the possession of the Persian crown, + Which gracious stars have promis'd at my birth. + A hundred Tartars shall attend on thee, + Mounted on steeds swifter than Pegasus; + Thy garments shall be made of Median silk, + Enchas'd with precious jewels of mine own, + More rich and valurous [38] than Zenocrate's; + With milk-white harts upon an ivory sled + Thou shalt be drawn amidst the frozen pools, [39] + And scale the icy mountains' lofty tops, + Which with thy beauty will be soon resolv'd: [40] + My martial prizes, with five hundred men, + Won on the fifty-headed Volga's waves, + Shall we all offer [41] to Zenocrate, + And then myself to fair Zenocrate. + + TECHELLES. What now! in love? + + TAMBURLAINE. Techelles, women must be flattered: + But this is she with whom I am in [42] love. + + Enter a SOLDIER. + + SOLDIER. News, news! + + TAMBURLAINE. How now! what's the matter? + + SOLDIER. A thousand Persian horsemen are at hand, + Sent from the king to overcome us all. + + TAMBURLAINE. How now, my lords of Egypt, and Zenocrate! + Now must your jewels be restor'd again, + And I, that triumph'd [43] so, be overcome? + How say you, lordings? is not this your hope? + + AGYDAS. We hope yourself will willingly restore them. + + TAMBURLAINE. Such hope, such fortune, have the thousand horse. + Soft ye, my lords, and sweet Zenocrate! + You must be forced from me ere you go.-- + A thousand horsemen! we five hundred foot! + An odds too great for us to stand against. + But are they rich? and is their armour good! + + SOLDIER. Their plumed helms are wrought with beaten gold, + Their swords enamell'd, and about their necks + Hang massy chains of gold down to the waist; + In every part exceeding brave [44] and rich. + + TAMBURLAINE. Then shall we fight courageously with them? + Or look you I should play the orator? + + TECHELLES. No; cowards and faint-hearted runaways + Look for orations when the foe is near: + Our swords shall play the orators for us. + + USUMCASANE. Come, let us meet them at the mountain-top, [45] + And with a sudden and an hot alarum + Drive all their horses headlong down the hill. + + TECHELLES. Come, let us march. + + TAMBURLAINE. Stay, Techelles; ask a parle first. + + The SOLDIERS enter. + + Open the mails, [46] yet guard the treasure sure: + Lay out our golden wedges to the view, + That their reflections may amaze the Persians; + And look we friendly on them when they come: + But, if they offer word or violence, + We'll fight, five hundred men-at-arms to one, + Before we part with our possession; + And 'gainst the general we will lift our swords, + And either lance [47] his greedy thirsting throat, + Or take him prisoner, and his chain shall serve + For manacles till he be ransom'd home. + + TECHELLES. I hear them come: shall we encounter them? + + TAMBURLAINE. Keep all your standings, and not stir a foot: + Myself will bide the danger of the brunt. + + Enter THERIDAMAS with others. + + THERIDAMAS. Where is this [48] Scythian Tamburlaine? + + TAMBURLAINE. Whom seek'st thou, Persian? I am Tamburlaine. + + THERIDAMAS. Tamburlaine! + A Scythian shepherd so embellished + With nature's pride and richest furniture! + His looks do menace heaven and dare the gods; + His fiery eyes are fix'd upon the earth, + As if he now devis'd some stratagem, + Or meant to pierce Avernus' darksome vaults [49] + To pull the triple-headed dog from hell. + + TAMBURLAINE. Noble and mild this Persian seems to be, + If outward habit judge the inward man. + + TECHELLES. His deep affections make him passionate. + + TAMBURLAINE. With what a majesty he rears his looks!-- + In thee, thou valiant man of Persia, + I see the folly of thy [50] emperor. + Art thou but captain of a thousand horse, + That by characters graven in thy brows, + And by thy martial face and stout aspect, + Deserv'st to have the leading of an host? + Forsake thy king, and do but join with me, + And we will triumph over all the world: + I hold the Fates bound fast in iron chains, + And with my hand turn Fortune's wheel about; + And sooner shall the sun fall from his sphere + Than Tamburlaine be slain or overcome. + Draw forth thy sword, thou mighty man-at-arms, + Intending but to raze my charmed skin, + And Jove himself will stretch his hand from heaven + To ward the blow, and shield me safe from harm. + See, how he rains down heaps of gold in showers, + As if he meant to give my soldiers pay! + And, as a sure and grounded argument + That I shall be the monarch of the East, + He sends this Soldan's daughter rich and brave, [51] + To be my queen and portly emperess. + If thou wilt stay with me, renowmed [52] man, + And lead thy thousand horse with my conduct, + Besides thy share of this Egyptian prize, + Those thousand horse shall sweat with martial spoil + Of conquer'd kingdoms and of cities sack'd: + Both we will walk upon the lofty cliffs; [53] + And Christian merchants, [54] that with Russian stems [55] + Plough up huge furrows in the Caspian Sea, + Shall vail [56] to us as lords of all the lake; + Both we will reign as consuls of the earth, + And mighty kings shall be our senators. + Jove sometime masked in a shepherd's weed; + And by those steps that he hath scal'd the heavens + May we become immortal like the gods. + Join with me now in this my mean estate, + (I call it mean, because, being yet obscure, + The nations far-remov'd admire me not,) + And when my name and honour shall be spread + As far as Boreas claps his brazen wings, + Or fair Bootes [57] sends his cheerful light, + Then shalt thou be competitor [58] with me, + And sit with Tamburlaine in all his majesty. + + THERIDAMAS. Not Hermes, prolocutor to the gods, + Could use persuasions more pathetical. + + TAMBURLAINE. Nor are Apollo's oracles more true + Than thou shalt find my vaunts substantial. + + TECHELLES. We are his friends; and, if the Persian king + Should offer present dukedoms to our state, + We think it loss to make exchange for that + We are assur'd of by our friend's success. + + USUMCASANE. And kingdoms at the least we all expect, + Besides the honour in assured conquests, + Where kings shall crouch unto our conquering swords, + And hosts of soldiers stand amaz'd at us, + When with their fearful tongues they shall confess, + These are the men that all the world admires. + + THERIDAMAS. What strong enchantments tice my yielding soul + To these [59] resolved, noble Scythians! + But shall I prove a traitor to my king? + + TAMBURLAINE. No; but the trusty friend of Tamburlaine. + + THERIDAMAS. Won with thy words, and conquer'd with thy looks, + I yield myself, my men, and horse to thee, + To be partaker of thy good or ill, + As long as life maintains Theridamas. + + TAMBURLAINE. Theridamas, my friend, take here my hand, + Which is as much as if I swore by heaven, + And call'd the gods to witness of my vow. + Thus shall my heart be still combin'd with thine + Until our bodies turn to elements, + And both our souls aspire celestial thrones.-- + Techelles and Casane, welcome him. + + TECHELLES. Welcome, renowmed [60] Persian, to us all! + + USUMCASANE. Long may Theridamas remain with us! + + TAMBURLAINE. These are my friends, in whom I more rejoice + Than doth the king of Persia in his crown; + And, by the love of Pylades and Orestes, + Whose statues [61] we adore in Scythia, + Thyself and them shall never part from me + Before I crown you kings [62] in Asia. + Make much of them, gentle Theridamas, + And they will never leave thee till the death. + + THERIDAMAS. Nor thee nor them, [63] thrice-noble Tamburlaine, + Shall want my heart to be with gladness pierc'd, + To do you honour and security. + + TAMBURLAINE. A thousand thanks, worthy Theridamas.-- + And now, fair madam, and my noble lords, + If you will [64] willingly remain with me, + You shall have honours as your merits be; + Or else you shall be forc'd with slavery. + + AGYDAS. We yield unto thee, happy Tamburlaine. + + TAMBURLAINE. For you, then, madam, I am out of doubt. + + ZENOCRATE. I must be pleas'd perforce,--wretched Zenocrate! + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +ACT II. + + + + +SCENE I. + + Enter COSROE, MENAPHON, ORTYGIUS, and CENEUS, with SOLDIERS. + + COSROE. Thus far are we towards Theridamas, + And valiant Tamburlaine, the man of fame, + The man that in the forehead of his fortune + Bears figures of renown and miracle. + But tell me, that hast seen him, Menaphon, + What stature wields he, and what personage? + + MENAPHON. Of stature tall, and straightly fashioned, + Like his desire, lift upwards and divine; + So large of limbs, his joints so strongly knit, + Such breadth of shoulders as might mainly bear + Old Atlas' burden; 'twixt his manly pitch, [65] + A pearl more worth than all the world is plac'd, + Wherein by curious sovereignty of art + Are fix'd his piercing instruments of sight, + Whose fiery circles bear encompassed + A heaven of heavenly bodies in their spheres, + That guides his steps and actions to the throne + Where honour sits invested royally; + Pale of complexion, wrought in him with passion, + Thirsting with sovereignty and [66] love of arms; + His lofty brows in folds do figure death, + And in their smoothness amity and life; + About them hangs a knot of amber hair, + Wrapped in curls, as fierce Achilles' was, + On which the breath of heaven delights to play, + Making it dance with wanton majesty; + His arms and fingers long and sinewy, [67] + Betokening valour and excess of strength;-- + In every part proportion'd like the man + Should make the world subdu'd [68] to Tamburlaine. + + COSROE. Well hast thou pourtray'd in thy terms of life + The face and personage of a wondrous man: + Nature doth strive with Fortune [69] and his stars + To make him famous in accomplish'd worth; + And well his merits shew him to be made + His fortune's master and the king of men, + That could persuade, at such a sudden pinch, + With reasons of his valour and his life, + A thousand sworn and overmatching foes. + Then, when our powers in points of swords are join'd, + And clos'd in compass of the killing bullet, + Though strait the passage and the port [70] be made + That leads to palace of my brother's life, + Proud is [71] his fortune if we pierce it not; + And, when the princely Persian diadem + Shall overweigh his weary witless head, + And fall, like mellow'd fruit, with shakes of death, + In fair [72] Persia noble Tamburlaine + Shall be my regent, and remain as king. + + ORTYGIUS. In happy hour we have set the crown + Upon your kingly head, that seeks our honour + In joining with the man ordain'd by heaven + To further every action to the best. + + CENEUS. He that with shepherds and a little spoil + Durst, in disdain of wrong and tyranny, + Defend his freedom 'gainst a monarchy, + What will he do supported by a king, + Leading a troop of gentlemen and lords, + And stuff'd with treasure for his highest thoughts! + + COSROE. And such shall wait on worthy Tamburlaine. + Our army will be forty thousand strong, + When Tamburlaine and brave Theridamas + Have met us by the river Araris; + And all conjoin'd to meet the witless king, + That now is marching near to Parthia, + And, with unwilling soldiers faintly arm'd, + To seek revenge on me and Tamburlaine; + To whom, sweet Menaphon, direct me straight. + + MENAPHON. I will, my lord. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE II. + + Enter MYCETES, MEANDER, with other LORDS; and SOLDIERS. + + MYCETES. Come, my Meander, let us to this gear. + I tell you true, my heart is swoln with wrath + On this same thievish villain Tamburlaine, + And of [73] that false Cosroe, my traitorous brother. + Would it not grieve a king to be so abus'd, + And have a thousand horsemen ta'en away? + And, which is worse, [74] to have his diadem + Sought for by such scald knaves as love him not? + I think it would: well, then, by heavens I swear, + Aurora shall not peep out of her doors, + But I will have Cosroe by the head, + And kill proud Tamburlaine with point of sword. + Tell you the rest, Meander: I have said. + + MEANDER. Then, having pass'd Armenian deserts now, + And pitch'd our tents under the Georgian hills, + Whose tops are cover'd with Tartarian thieves, + That lie in ambush, waiting for a prey, + What should we do but bid them battle straight, + And rid the world of those detested troops? + Lest, if we let them linger here a while, + They gather strength by power of fresh supplies. + This country swarms with vile outragious men + That live by rapine and by lawless spoil, + Fit soldiers for the [75] wicked Tamburlaine; + And he that could with gifts and promises + Inveigle him that led a thousand horse, + And make him false his faith unto his [76] king, + Will quickly win such as be [77] like himself. + Therefore cheer up your minds; prepare to fight: + He that can take or slaughter Tamburlaine, + Shall rule the province of Albania; + Who brings that traitor's head, Theridamas, + Shall have a government in Media, + Beside [78] the spoil of him and all his train: + But, if Cosroe (as our spials say, + And as we know) remains with Tamburlaine, + His highness' pleasure is that he should live, + And be reclaim'd with princely lenity. + + Enter a SPY. + + SPY. An hundred horsemen of my company, + Scouting abroad upon these champion [79] plains, + Have view'd the army of the Scythians; + Which make report it far exceeds the king's. + + MEANDER. Suppose they be in number infinite, + Yet being void of martial discipline, + All running headlong, greedy after [80] spoils, + And more regarding gain than victory, + Like to the cruel brothers of the earth, + Sprung [81] of the teeth of [82] dragons venomous, + Their careless swords shall lance [83] their fellows' throats, + And make us triumph in their overthrow. + + MYCETES. Was there such brethren, sweet Meander, say, + That sprung of teeth of dragons venomous? + + MEANDER. So poets say, my lord. + + MYCETES. And 'tis a pretty toy to be a poet. + Well, well, Meander, thou art deeply read; + And having thee, I have a jewel sure. + Go on, my lord, and give your charge, I say; + Thy wit will make us conquerors to-day. + + MEANDER. Then, noble soldiers, to entrap these thieves + That live confounded in disorder'd troops, + If wealth or riches may prevail with them, + We have our camels laden all with gold, + Which you that be but common soldiers + Shall fling in every corner of the field; + And, while the base-born Tartars take it up, + You, fighting more for honour than for gold, + Shall massacre those greedy-minded slaves; + And, when their scatter'd army is subdu'd, + And you march on their slaughter'd carcasses, + Share equally the gold that bought their lives, + And live like gentlemen in Persia. + Strike up the [84] drum, and march courageously: + Fortune herself doth sit upon our crests. + + MYCETES. 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. + + COSROE. Now, worthy Tamburlaine, have I repos'd + 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. + + TAMBURLAINE. And so mistake you not a whit, my lord; + For fates and oracles [of] heaven have sworn + To royalize the deeds of Tamburlaine, + 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 + To some [85] direction in your martial deeds, + The world will [86] strive with hosts of men-at-arms + To swarm unto the ensign I support. + The host of Xerxes, which by fame is said + To drink the mighty Parthian Araris, + Was but a handful to that we will have: + Our quivering lances, shaking in the air, + And bullets, like Jove's dreadful thunderbolts, + Enroll'd 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 admired arms. + + THERIDAMAS. You see, my lord, what working words he hath; + But, when you see his actions top [87] his speech, + Your speech will stay, or so extol his worth + As I shall be commended and excus'd + For turning my poor charge to his direction: + And these his two renowmed [88] friends, my lord, + Would make one thirst [89] and strive to be retain'd + In such a great degree of amity. + + TECHELLES. With duty and [90] with amity we yield + Our utmost service to the fair [91] Cosroe. + + COSROE. Which I esteem as portion of my crown. + Usumcasane and Techelles both, + When she [92] that rules in Rhamnus' [93] golden gates, + And makes a passage for all prosperous arms, + Shall make me solely emperor of Asia, + Then shall your meeds [94] and valours be advanc'd + To rooms of honour and nobility. + + TAMBURLAINE. 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 burden as outweighs the sands + And all the craggy rocks of Caspia. + + Enter a MESSENGER. + + MESSENGER. My lord, + We have discovered the enemy + Ready to charge you with a mighty army. + + COSROE. Come, Tamburlaine; now whet thy winged sword, + And lift thy lofty arm into [95] the clouds, + That it may reach the king of Persia's crown, + And set it safe on my victorious head. + + TAMBURLAINE. 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 [96] as it swiftly flies. + + COSROE. Thy words assure me of kind success: + Go, valiant soldier, go before, and charge + The fainting army of that foolish king. + + TAMBURLAINE. Usumcasane and Techelles, come: + We are enow to scare the enemy, + And more than needs to make an emperor. + + [Exeunt to the battle.] + + + + +SCENE IV. + + Enter MYCETES with his crown in his hand. [97] + + MYCETES. Accurs'd be he that first invented war! + They knew not, ah, they knew not, simple men, + How those were [98] hit by pelting cannon-shot + Stand staggering [99] 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 clouts that every man shoots at, + Our crown the pin [100] 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 not I 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. + + TAMBURLAINE. What, fearful coward, straggling from the camp, + When kings themselves are present in the field? + + MYCETES. Thou liest. + + TAMBURLAINE. Base villain, darest thou give me [101] the lie? + + MYCETES. 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!" + + TAMBURLAINE. Are you the witty king of Persia? + + MYCETES. Ay, marry, [102] am I: have you any suit to me? + + TAMBURLAINE. I would entreat you to speak but three wise words. + + MYCETES. So I can when I see my time. + + TAMBURLAINE. Is this your crown? + + MYCETES. Ay: didst thou ever see a fairer? + + TAMBURLAINE. You will not sell it, will you? + + MYCETES. Such another word, and I will have thee executed. Come, + give it me. + + TAMBURLAINE. No; I took it prisoner. + + MYCETES. You lie; I gave it you. + + TAMBURLAINE. Then 'tis mine. + + MYCETES. No; I mean I let you keep it. + + TAMBURLAINE. Well, I mean you shall have it again. + Here, take it for a while: I lend it thee, + Till I may see thee hemm'd with armed men; + Then shalt thou see me pull it from thy head: + Thou art no match for mighty Tamburlaine. + + [Exit.] + + MYCETES. O gods, is this Tamburlaine the thief? + I marvel much he stole it not away. + + [Trumpets within sound to the battle: he runs out.] + + + + +SCENE V. + + Enter COSROE, TAMBURLAINE, MENAPHON, MEANDER, ORTYGIUS, + THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, with others. + + TAMBURLAINE. 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 crown'd thee emperor. + + COSROE. So do I, thrice-renowmed man-at-arms; [103] + 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 chiefest [104] 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. + + MEANDER. Most happy [105] emperor, in humblest terms + I vow my service to your majesty, + With utmost virtue of my faith and duty. + + COSROE. 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 chang'd, + From one that knew not what a king should do, + To one that can command what 'longs thereto. + And now we will to fair Persepolis + With twenty thousand expert soldiers. + The lords and captains of my brother's camp + With little slaughter take Meander's course, + And gladly yield them to my gracious rule.-- + Ortygius and Menaphon, my trusty friends, + Now will I gratify your former good, + And grace your calling with a greater sway. + + ORTYGIUS. And as we ever aim'd [106] at your behoof, + And sought your state all honour it [107] deserv'd, + So will we with our powers and our [108] lives + Endeavour to preserve and prosper it. + + COSROE. I will not thank thee, sweet Ortygius; + Better replies shall prove my purposes.-- + And now, Lord Tamburlaine, my brother's camp + I leave to thee and to Theridamas, + To follow me to fair Persepolis; + Then will we [109] march to all those Indian mines + My witless brother to the Christians lost, + And ransom them with fame and usury: + And, till thou overtake me, Tamburlaine, + (Staying to order all the scatter'd troops,) + Farewell, lord regent and his happy friends. + I long to sit upon my brother's throne. + + MEANDER. Your majesty shall shortly have your wish, + And ride in triumph through Persepolis. + + [Exeunt all except TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, and + USUMCASANE.] + + TAMBURLAINE. And ride in triumph through Persepolis!-- + Is it not brave to be a king, Techelles?-- + Usumcasane and Theridamas, + Is it not passing brave to be a king, + And ride in triumph through Persepolis? + + TECHELLES. O, my lord, it is sweet and full of pomp! + + USUMCASANE. To be a king is half to be a god. + + THERIDAMAS. A god is not so glorious as a king: + I think the pleasure they enjoy in heaven, + Cannot compare with kingly joys in [110] earth;-- + To wear a crown enchas'd with pearl and gold, + Whose virtues carry with it life and death; + To ask and have, command and be obey'd; + When looks breed love, with looks to gain the prize,-- + Such power attractive shines in princes' eyes. + + TAMBURLAINE. Why, say, Theridamas, wilt thou be a king? + + THERIDAMAS. Nay, though I praise it, I can live without it. + + TAMBURLAINE. What say my other friends? will you be kings? + + TECHELLES. I, if I could, with all my heart, my lord. + + TAMBURLAINE. Why, that's well said, Techelles: so would I;-- + And so would you, my masters, would you not? + + USUMCASANE. What, then, my lord? + + TAMBURLAINE. Why, then, Casane, [111] shall we wish for aught + The world affords in greatest novelty, + And rest attemptless, faint, and destitute? + Methinks we should not. I am strongly mov'd, + That if I should desire the Persian crown, + I could attain it with a wondrous ease: + And would not all our soldiers soon consent, + If we should aim at such a dignity? + + THERIDAMAS. I know they would with our persuasions. + + TAMBURLAINE. Why, then, Theridamas, I'll first assay + To get the Persian kingdom to myself; + Then thou for Parthia; they for Scythia and Media; + And, if I prosper, all shall be as sure + As if the Turk, the Pope, Afric, and Greece, + Came creeping to us with their crowns a-piece. [112] + + TECHELLES. Then shall we send to this triumphing king, + And bid him battle for his novel crown? + + USUMCASANE. Nay, quickly, then, before his room be hot. + + TAMBURLAINE. 'Twill prove a pretty jest, in faith, my friends. + + THERIDAMAS. A jest to charge on twenty thousand men! + I judge the purchase [113] more important far. + + TAMBURLAINE. Judge by thyself, Theridamas, not me; + For presently Techelles here shall haste + To bid him battle ere he pass too far, + And lose more labour than the gain will quite: [114] + Then shalt thou see this [115] Scythian Tamburlaine + Make but a jest to win the Persian crown.-- + Techelles, take a thousand horse with thee, + And bid him turn him [116] back to war with us, + That only made him king to make us sport: + We will not steal upon him cowardly, + But give him warning and [117] more warriors: + Haste thee, Techelles; we will follow thee. + + [Exit TECHELLES.] + + What saith Theridamas? + + THERIDAMAS. Go on, for me. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE VI. + + Enter COSROE, MEANDER, ORTYGIUS, and MENAPHON, with + SOLDIERS. + + COSROE. What means this devilish shepherd, to aspire + With such a giantly presumption, + To cast up hills against the face of heaven, + And dare the force of angry Jupiter? + But, as he thrust them underneath the hills, + And press'd out fire from their burning jaws, + So will I send this monstrous slave to hell, + Where flames shall ever feed upon his soul. + + MEANDER. Some powers divine, or else infernal, mix'd + Their angry seeds at his conception; + For he was never sprung [118] of human race, + Since with the spirit of his fearful pride, + He dares [119] so doubtlessly resolve of rule, + And by profession be ambitious. + + ORTYGIUS. What god, or fiend, or spirit of the earth, + Or monster turned to a manly shape, + Or of what mould or mettle he be made, + What star or fate [120] soever govern him, + Let us put on our meet encountering minds; + And, in detesting such a devilish thief, + In love of honour and defence of right, + Be arm'd against the hate of such a foe, + Whether from earth, or hell, or heaven he grow. + + COSROE. Nobly resolv'd, my good Ortygius; + And, since we all have suck'd one wholesome air, + And with the same proportion of elements + Resolve, [121] I hope we are resembled, + Vowing our loves to equal death and life. + Let's cheer our soldiers to encounter him, + That grievous image of ingratitude, + That fiery thirster after sovereignty, + And burn him in the fury of that flame + That none can quench but blood and empery. + Resolve, my lords and loving soldiers, now + To save your king and country from decay. + Then strike up, drum; and all the stars that make + The loathsome circle of my dated life, + Direct my weapon to his barbarous heart, + That thus opposeth him against the gods, + And scorns the powers that govern Persia! + + [Exeunt, drums sounding.] + + + + +SCENE VII. + + Alarms of battle within. Then enter COSROE wounded, + TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, with others. + + COSROE. Barbarous [122] and bloody Tamburlaine, + Thus to deprive me of my crown and life!-- + Treacherous and false Theridamas, + Even at the morning of my happy state, + Scarce being seated in my royal throne, + To work my downfall and untimely end! + An uncouth pain torments my grieved soul; + And death arrests the organ of my voice, + Who, entering at the breach thy sword hath made, + Sacks every vein and artier [123] of my heart.-- + Bloody and insatiate Tamburlaine! + + TAMBURLAINE. The thirst of reign and sweetness of a crown, + That caus'd the eldest son of heavenly Ops + To thrust his doting father from his chair, + And place himself in the empyreal heaven, + Mov'd me to manage arms against thy state. + What better precedent than mighty Jove? + Nature, that fram'd us of four elements + Warring within our breasts for regiment, [124] + Doth teach us all to have aspiring minds: + Our souls, whose faculties can comprehend + The wondrous architecture of the world, + And measure every wandering planet's course, + Still climbing after knowledge infinite, + And always moving as the restless spheres, + Will us to wear ourselves, and never rest, + Until we reach the ripest fruit [125] of all, + That perfect bliss and sole felicity, + The sweet fruition of an earthly crown. + + THERIDAMAS. And that made me to join with Tamburlaine; + For he is gross and like the massy earth + That moves not upwards, nor by princely deeds + Doth mean to soar above the highest sort. + + TECHELLES. And that made us, the friends of Tamburlaine, + To lift our swords against the Persian king. + + USUMCASANE. For as, when Jove did thrust old Saturn down, + Neptune and Dis gain'd each of them a crown, + So do we hope to reign in Asia, + If Tamburlaine be plac'd in Persia. + + COSROE. The strangest men that ever nature made! + I know not how to take their tyrannies. + My bloodless body waxeth chill and cold, + And with my blood my life slides through my wound; + My soul begins to take her flight to hell, + And summons all my senses to depart: + The heat and moisture, which did feed each other, + For want of nourishment to feed them both, + Are [126] dry and cold; and now doth ghastly Death + With greedy talents [127] gripe my bleeding heart, + And like a harpy [128] tires on my life.-- + Theridamas and Tamburlaine, I die: + And fearful vengeance light upon you both! + + [Dies.--TAMBURLAINE takes COSROE'S crown, and puts it on + his own head.] + + TAMBURLAINE. Not all the curses which the [129] Furies breathe + Shall make me leave so rich a prize as this. + Theridamas, Techelles, and the rest, + Who think you now is king of Persia? + + ALL. Tamburlaine! Tamburlaine! + + TAMBURLAINE. Though Mars himself, the angry god of arms, + And all the earthly potentates conspire + To dispossess me of this diadem, + Yet will I wear it in despite of them, + As great commander of this eastern world, + If you but say that Tamburlaine shall reign. + + ALL. Long live Tamburlaine, and reign in Asia! + + TAMBURLAINE. So; now it is more surer on my head + Than if the gods had held a parliament, + And all pronounc'd me king of Persia. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +ACT III. + + + + +SCENE I. + + Enter BAJAZETH, the KINGS OF FEZ, MOROCCO, and ARGIER, with + others, in great pomp. + + BAJAZETH. Great kings of Barbary, and my portly bassoes, [130] + We hear the Tartars and the eastern thieves, + Under the conduct of one Tamburlaine, + Presume a bickering with your emperor, + And think to rouse us from our dreadful siege + Of the famous Grecian Constantinople. + You know our army is invincible; + As many circumcised Turks we have, + And warlike bands of Christians renied, [131] + As hath the ocean or the Terrene [132] sea + Small drops of water when the moon begins + To join in one her semicircled horns: + Yet would we not be brav'd with foreign power, + Nor raise our siege before the Grecians yield, + Or breathless lie before the city-walls. + + KING OF FEZ. Renowmed [133] emperor and mighty general, + What, if you sent the bassoes of your guard + To charge him to remain in Asia, + Or else to threaten death and deadly arms + As from the mouth of mighty Bajazeth? + + BAJAZETH. Hie thee, my basso, [134] fast to Persia; + Tell him thy lord, the Turkish emperor, + Dread lord of Afric, Europe, and Asia, + Great king and conqueror of Graecia, + The ocean, Terrene, and the Coal-black sea, + The high and highest monarch of the world, + Wills and commands, (for say not I entreat,) + Not [135] once to set his foot in [136] Africa, + Or spread [137] his colours in Graecia, + Lest he incur the fury of my wrath: + Tell him I am content to take a truce, + Because I hear he bears a valiant mind: + But if, presuming on his silly power, + He be so mad to manage arms with me, + Then stay thou with him,--say, I bid thee so; + And if, before the sun have measur'd heaven [138] + With triple circuit, thou regreet us not, + We mean to take his morning's next arise + For messenger he will not be reclaim'd, + And mean to fetch thee in despite of him. + + BASSO. Most great and puissant monarch of the earth, + Your basso will accomplish your behest, + And shew your pleasure to the Persian, + As fits the legate of the stately Turk. + + [Exit.] + + KING OF ARGIER. They say he is the king of Persia; + But, if he dare attempt to stir your siege, + 'Twere requisite he should be ten times more, + For all flesh quakes at your magnificence. + + BAJAZETH. True, Argier; and tremble[s] at my looks. + + KING OF MOROCCO. The spring is hinder'd by your smothering host; + For neither rain can fall upon the earth, + Nor sun reflex his virtuous beams thereon, + The ground is mantled with such multitudes. + + BAJAZETH. All this is true as holy Mahomet; + And all the trees are blasted with our breaths. + + KING OF FEZ. What thinks your greatness best to be achiev'd + In pursuit of the city's overthrow? + + BAJAZETH. I will the captive pioners [139] of Argier + Cut off the water that by leaden pipes + Runs to the city from the mountain Carnon; + Two thousand horse shall forage up and down, + That no relief or succour come by land; + And all the sea my galleys countermand: + Then shall our footmen lie within the trench, + And with their cannons, mouth'd like Orcus' gulf, + Batter the walls, and we will enter in; + And thus the Grecians shall be conquered. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE II. + + Enter ZENOCRATE, AGYDAS, ANIPPE, with others. + + AGYDAS. Madam Zenocrate, may I presume + To know the cause of these unquiet fits + That work such trouble to your wonted rest? + 'Tis more than pity such a heavenly face + Should by heart's sorrow wax so wan and pale, + When your offensive rape by Tamburlaine + (Which of your whole displeasures should be most) + Hath seem'd to be digested long ago. + + ZENOCRATE. Although it be digested long ago, + As his exceeding favours have deserv'd, + And might content the Queen of Heaven, as well + As it hath chang'd my first-conceiv'd disdain; + Yet since a farther passion feeds my thoughts + With ceaseless [140] and disconsolate conceits, [141] + Which dye my looks so lifeless as they are, + And might, if my extremes had full events, + Make me the ghastly counterfeit [142] of death. + + AGYDAS. Eternal heaven sooner be dissolv'd, + And all that pierceth Phoebus' silver eye, + Before such hap fall to Zenocrate! + + ZENOCRATE. Ah, life and soul, still hover in his [143] breast, + And leave my body senseless as the earth, + Or else unite you [144] to his life and soul, + That I may live and die with Tamburlaine! + + Enter, behind, TAMBURLAINE, with TECHELLES, and others. + + AGYDAS. With Tamburlaine! Ah, fair Zenocrate, + Let not a man so vile and barbarous, + That holds you from your father in despite, + And keeps you from the honours of a queen, + (Being suppos'd his worthless concubine,) + Be honour'd with your love but for necessity! + So, now the mighty Soldan hears of you, + Your highness needs not doubt but in short time + He will, with Tamburlaine's destruction, + Redeem you from this deadly servitude. + + ZENOCRATE. Leave [145] to wound me with these words, + And speak of Tamburlaine as he deserves: + The entertainment we have had of him + Is far from villany or servitude, + And might in noble minds be counted princely. + + AGYDAS. How can you fancy one that looks so fierce, + Only dispos'd to martial stratagems? + Who, when he shall embrace you in his arms, + Will tell how many thousand men he slew; + And, when you look for amorous discourse, + Will rattle forth his facts [146] of war and blood, + Too harsh a subject for your dainty ears. + + ZENOCRATE. As looks the sun through Nilus' flowing stream, + Or when the Morning holds him in her arms, + So looks my lordly love, fair Tamburlaine; + His talk much [147] sweeter than the Muses' song + They sung for honour 'gainst Pierides, [148] + Or when Minerva did with Neptune strive: + And higher would I rear my estimate + Than Juno, sister to the highest god, + If I were match'd with mighty Tamburlaine. + + AGYDAS. Yet be not so inconstant in your love, + But let the young Arabian [149] live in hope, + After your rescue to enjoy his choice. + You see, though first the king of Persia, + Being a shepherd, seem'd to love you much, + Now, in his majesty, he leaves those looks, + Those words of favour, and those comfortings, + And gives no more than common courtesies. + + ZENOCRATE. Thence rise the tears that so distain my cheeks, + Fearing his love [150] through my unworthiness. + + [TAMBURLAINE goes to her, and takes her away lovingly by + the hand, looking wrathfully on AGYDAS, and says nothing. + Exeunt all except AGYDAS.] + + AGYDAS. Betray'd by fortune and suspicious love, + Threaten'd with frowning wrath and jealousy, + Surpris'd with fear of [151] hideous revenge, + I stand aghast; but most astonied + To see his choler shut in secret thoughts, + And wrapt in silence of his angry soul: + Upon his brows was pourtray'd ugly death; + And in his eyes the fury [152] of his heart, + That shone [153] as comets, menacing revenge, + And cast a pale complexion on his cheeks. + As when the seaman sees the Hyades + Gather an army of Cimmerian clouds, + (Auster and Aquilon with winged steeds, + All sweating, tilt about the watery heavens, + With shivering spears enforcing thunder-claps, + And from their shields strike flames of lightning,) + All-fearful folds his sails, and sounds the main, + Lifting his prayers to the heavens for aid + Against the terror of the winds and waves; + So fares Agydas for the late-felt frowns, + That send [154] a tempest to my daunted thoughts, + And make my soul divine her overthrow. + + Re-enter TECHELLES with a naked dagger, and USUMCASANE. + + TECHELLES. See you, Agydas, how the king salutes you! + He bids you prophesy what it imports. + + AGYDAS. I prophesied before, and now I prove + The killing frowns of jealousy and love. + He needed not with words confirm my fear, + For words are vain where working tools present + The naked action of my threaten'd end: + It says, Agydas, thou shalt surely die, + And of extremities elect the least; + More honour and less pain it may procure, + To die by this resolved hand of thine + Than stay the torments he and heaven have sworn. + Then haste, Agydas, and prevent the plagues + Which thy prolonged fates may draw on thee: + Go wander free from fear of tyrant's rage, + Removed from the torments and the hell + Wherewith he may excruciate thy soul; + And let Agydas by Agydas die, + And with this stab slumber eternally. + + [Stabs himself.] + + TECHELLES. Usumcasane, see, how right the man + Hath hit the meaning of my lord the king! + + USUMCASANE. Faith, and, Techelles, it was manly done; + And, since he was so wise and honourable, + Let us afford him now the bearing hence, + And crave his triple-worthy burial. + + TECHELLES. Agreed, Casane; we will honour him. + + [Exeunt, bearing out the body.] + + + + +SCENE III. + + Enter TAMBURLAINE, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, THERIDAMAS, + a BASSO, ZENOCRATE, ANIPPE, with others. + + TAMBURLAINE. Basso, by this thy lord and master knows + I mean to meet him in Bithynia: + See, how he comes! tush, Turks are full of brags, + And menace [155] more than they can well perform. + He meet me in the field, and fetch [156] thee hence! + Alas, poor Turk! his fortune is too weak + T' encounter with the strength of Tamburlaine: + View well my camp, and speak indifferently; + Do not my captains and my soldiers look + As if they meant to conquer Africa? + + BASSO. Your men are valiant, but their number few, + And cannot terrify his mighty host: + My lord, the great commander of the world, + Besides fifteen contributory kings, + Hath now in arms ten thousand janizaries, + Mounted on lusty Mauritanian steeds, + Brought to the war by men of Tripoly; + Two hundred thousand footmen that have serv'd + In two set battles fought in Graecia; + And for the expedition of this war, + If he think good, can from his garrisons + Withdraw as many more to follow him. + + TECHELLES. The more he brings, the greater is the spoil; + For, when they perish by our warlike hands, + We mean to set [157] our footmen on their steeds, + And rifle all those stately janizars. + + TAMBURLAINE. But will those kings accompany your lord? + + BASSO. Such as his highness please; but some must stay + To rule the provinces he late subdu'd. + + TAMBURLAINE. [To his OFFICERS] + Then fight courageously: their crowns are yours; + This hand shall set them on your conquering heads, + That made me emperor of Asia. + + USUMCASANE. Let him bring millions infinite of men, + Unpeopling Western Africa and Greece, + Yet we assure us of the victory. + + THERIDAMAS. Even he, that in a trice vanquish'd two kings + More mighty than the Turkish emperor, + Shall rouse him out of Europe, and pursue + His scatter'd army till they yield or die. + + TAMBURLAINE. Well said, Theridamas! speak in that mood; + For WILL and SHALL best fitteth Tamburlaine, + Whose smiling stars give him assured hope + Of martial triumph ere he meet his foes. + I that am term'd the scourge and wrath of God, + The only fear and terror of the world, + Will first subdue the Turk, and then enlarge + Those Christian captives which you keep as slaves, + Burdening their bodies with your heavy chains, + And feeding them with thin and slender fare; + That naked row about the Terrene [158] sea, + And, when they chance to rest or breathe [159] a space, + Are punish'd with bastones [160] so grievously + That they [161] lie panting on the galleys' side, + And strive for life at every stroke they give. + These are the cruel pirates of Argier, + That damned train, the scum of Africa, + Inhabited with straggling runagates, + That make quick havoc of the Christian blood: + But, as I live, that town shall curse the time + That Tamburlaine set foot in Africa. + + Enter BAJAZETH, BASSOES, the KINGS OF FEZ, MOROCCO, + and ARGIER; ZABINA and EBEA. + + BAJAZETH. Bassoes and janizaries of my guard, + Attend upon the person of your lord, + The greatest potentate of Africa. + + TAMBURLAINE. Techelles and the rest, prepare your swords; + I mean t' encounter with that Bajazeth. + + BAJAZETH. Kings of Fez, Morocco, [162] and Argier, + He calls me Bajazeth, whom you call lord! + Note the presumption of this Scythian slave!-- + I tell thee, villain, those that lead my horse + Have to their names titles [163] of dignity; + And dar'st thou bluntly call me Bajazeth? + + TAMBURLAINE. And know, thou Turk, that those which lead my horse + Shall lead thee captive thorough Africa; + And dar'st thou bluntly call me Tamburlaine? + + BAJAZETH. By Mahomet my kinsman's sepulchre, + And by the holy Alcoran I swear, + He shall be made a chaste and lustless eunuch, + And in my sarell [164] tend my concubines; + And all his captains, that thus stoutly stand, + Shall draw the chariot of my emperess, + Whom I have brought to see their overthrow! + + TAMBURLAINE. By this my sword that conquer'd Persia, + Thy fall shall make me famous through the world! + I will not tell thee how I'll [165] handle thee, + But every common soldier of my camp + Shall smile to see thy miserable state. + + KING OF FEZ. What means the [166] mighty Turkish emperor, + To talk with one so base as Tamburlaine? + + KING OF MOROCCO. Ye Moors and valiant men of Barbary. + How can ye suffer these indignities? + + KING OF ARGIER. Leave words, and let them feel your lances' + points, + Which glided through the bowels of the Greeks. + + BAJAZETH. Well said, my stout contributory kings! + Your threefold army and my hugy [167] host + Shall swallow up these base-born Persians. + + TECHELLES. Puissant, renowm'd, [168] and mighty Tamburlaine, + Why stay we thus prolonging of [169] their lives? + + THERIDAMAS. I long to see those crowns won by our swords, + That we may rule [170] as kings of Africa. + + USUMCASANE. What coward would not fight for such a prize? + + TAMBURLAINE. Fight all courageously, and be you kings: + I speak it, and my words are oracles. + + BAJAZETH. Zabina, mother of three braver [171] boys + Than Hercules, that in his infancy + Did pash [172] the jaws of serpents venomous; + Whose hands are made to gripe a warlike lance, + Their shoulders broad for complete armour fit, + Their limbs more large and of a bigger size + Than all the brats y-sprung [173] from Typhon's loins; + Who, when they come unto their father's age, + Will batter turrets with their manly fists;-- + Sit here upon this royal chair of state, + And on thy head wear my imperial crown, + Until I bring this sturdy Tamburlaine + And all his captains bound in captive chains. + + ZABINA. Such good success happen to Bajazeth! + + TAMBURLAINE. Zenocrate, the loveliest maid alive, + Fairer than rocks of pearl and precious stone, + The only paragon of Tamburlaine; + Whose eyes are brighter than the lamps of heaven, + And speech more pleasant than sweet harmony; + That with thy looks canst clear the darken'd sky, + And calm the rage of thundering Jupiter; + Sit down by her, adorned with my crown, + As if thou wert the empress of the world. + Stir not, Zenocrate, until thou see + Me march victoriously with all my men, + Triumphing over him and these his kings, + Which I will bring as vassals to thy feet; + Till then, take thou my crown, vaunt of my worth, + And manage words with her, as we will arms. + + ZENOCRATE. And may my love, the king of Persia, + Return with victory and free from wound! + + BAJAZETH. Now shalt thou feel the force of Turkish arms, + Which lately made all Europe quake for fear. + I have of Turks, Arabians, Moors, and Jews, + Enough to cover all Bithynia: + Let thousands die; their slaughter'd carcasses + Shall serve for walls and bulwarks to the rest; + And as the heads of Hydra, so my power, + Subdu'd, shall stand as mighty as before: + If they should yield their necks unto the sword, + Thy soldiers' arms could not endure to strike + So many blows as I have heads for them. [174] + Thou know'st not, foolish-hardy Tamburlaine, + What 'tis to meet me in the open field, + That leave no ground for thee to march upon. + + TAMBURLAINE. Our conquering swords shall marshal us the way + We use to march upon the slaughter'd foe, + Trampling their bowels with our horses' hoofs, + Brave horses bred on the [175] white Tartarian hills + My camp is like to Julius Caesar's host, + That never fought but had the victory; + Nor in Pharsalia was there such hot war + As these, my followers, willingly would have. + Legions of spirits, fleeting in the air, + Direct our bullets and our weapons' points, + And make your strokes to wound the senseless light; [176] + And when she sees our bloody colours spread, + Then Victory begins to take her flight, + Resting herself upon my milk-white tent.-- + But come, my lords, to weapons let us fall; + The field is ours, the Turk, his wife, and all. + + [Exit with his followers.] + + BAJAZETH. Come, kings and bassoes, let us glut our swords, + That thirst to drink the feeble Persians' blood. + + [Exit with his followers.] + + ZABINA. Base concubine, must thou be plac'd by me + That am the empress of the mighty Turk? + + ZENOCRATE. Disdainful Turkess, and unreverend boss, [177] + Call'st thou me concubine, that am betroth'd + Unto the great and mighty Tamburlaine? + + ZABINA. To Tamburlaine, the great Tartarian thief! + + ZENOCRATE. Thou wilt repent these lavish words of thine + When thy great basso-master and thyself + Must plead for mercy at his kingly feet, + And sue to me to be your advocate. [178] + + ZABINA. And sue to thee! I tell thee, shameless girl, + Thou shalt be laundress to my waiting-maid.-- + How lik'st thou her, Ebea? will she serve? + + EBEA. Madam, she thinks perhaps she is too fine; + But I shall turn her into other weeds, + And make her dainty fingers fall to work. + + ZENOCRATE. Hear'st thou, Anippe, how thy drudge doth talk? + And how my slave, her mistress, menaceth? + Both for their sauciness shall be employ'd + To dress the common soldiers' meat and drink; + For we will scorn they should come near ourselves. + + ANIPPE. Yet sometimes let your highness send for them + To do the work my chambermaid disdains. + + [They sound to the battle within.] + + ZENOCRATE. Ye gods and powers that govern Persia, + And made my lordly love her worthy king, + Now strengthen him against the Turkish Bajazeth, + And let his foes, like flocks of fearful roes + Pursu'd by hunters, fly his angry looks, + That I may see him issue conqueror! + + ZABINA. Now, Mahomet, solicit God himself, + And make him rain down murdering shot from heaven, + To dash the Scythians' brains, and strike them dead, + That dare [179] to manage arms with him + That offer'd jewels to thy sacred shrine + When first he warr'd against the Christians! + + [They sound again to the battle within.] + + ZENOCRATE. By this the Turks lie weltering in their blood, + And Tamburlaine is lord of Africa. + + ZABINA. Thou art deceiv'd. I heard the trumpets sound + As when my emperor overthrew the Greeks, + And led them captive into Africa. + Straight will I use thee as thy pride deserves; + Prepare thyself to live and die my slave. + + ZENOCRATE. If Mahomet should come from heaven and swear + My royal lord is slain or conquered, + Yet should he not persuade me otherwise + But that he lives and will be conqueror. + + Re-enter BAJAZETH, pursued by TAMBURLAINE. [180] + + TAMBURLAINE. Now, king of bassoes, who is conqueror? + + BAJAZETH. Thou, by the fortune of this damned foil. [181] + + TAMBURLAINE. Where are your stout contributory kings? + + Re-enter TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, and USUMCASANE. + + TECHELLES. We have their crowns; their bodies strow the field. + + TAMBURLAINE. Each man a crown! why, kingly fought, i'faith. + Deliver them into my treasury. + + ZENOCRATE. Now let me offer to my gracious lord + His royal crown again so highly won. + + TAMBURLAINE. Nay, take the Turkish crown from her, Zenocrate, + And crown me emperor of Africa. + + ZABINA. No, Tamburlaine; though now thou gat [182] the best, + Thou shalt not yet be lord of Africa. + + THERIDAMAS. Give her the crown, Turkess, you were best. + + [Takes it from her.] + + ZABINA. Injurious villains, thieves, runagates, + How dare you thus abuse my majesty? + + THERIDAMAS. Here, madam, you are empress; she is none. + + [Gives it to ZENOCRATE.] + + TAMBURLAINE. Not now, Theridamas; her time is past: + The pillars, that have bolster'd up those terms, + Are faln in clusters at my conquering feet. + + ZABINA. Though he be prisoner, he may be ransom'd. + + TAMBURLAINE. Not all the world shall ransom Bajazeth. + + BAJAZETH. Ah, fair Zabina! we have lost the field; + And never had the Turkish emperor + So great a foil by any foreign foe. + Now will the Christian miscreants be glad, + Ringing with joy their superstitious bells, + And making bonfires for my overthrow: + But, ere I die, those foul idolaters + Shall make me bonfires with their filthy bones; + For, though the glory of this day be lost, + Afric and Greece have garrisons enough + To make me sovereign of the earth again. + + TAMBURLAINE. Those walled garrisons will I subdue, + And write myself great lord of Africa: + So from the East unto the furthest West + Shall Tamburlaine extend his puissant arm. + The galleys and those pilling [183] brigandines, + That yearly sail to the Venetian gulf, + And hover in the Straits for Christians' wreck, + Shall lie at anchor in the Isle Asant, + Until the Persian fleet and men-of-war, + Sailing along the oriental sea, + Have fetch'd about the Indian continent, + Even from Persepolis to Mexico, + And thence unto the Straits of Jubalter; + Where they shall meet and join their force in one. + Keeping in awe the Bay of Portingale, + And all the ocean by the British [184] shore; + And by this means I'll win the world at last. + + BAJAZETH. Yet set a ransom on me, Tamburlaine. + + TAMBURLAINE. What, think'st thou Tamburlaine esteems thy gold? + I'll make the kings of India, ere I die, + Offer their mines, to sue for peace, to me, + And dig for treasure to appease my wrath.-- + Come, bind them both, and one lead in the Turk; + The Turkess let my love's maid lead away, + + [They bind them.] + + BAJAZETH. Ah, villains, dare you touch my sacred arms?-- + O Mahomet! O sleepy Mahomet! + + ZABINA. O cursed Mahomet, that mak'st us thus + The slaves to Scythians rude and barbarous! + + TAMBURLAINE. Come, bring them in; and for this happy conquest + Triumph, and solemnize a martial [185] feast. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +ACT IV. + + + + +SCENE I. + + Enter the SOLDAN OF EGYPT, CAPOLIN, LORDS, and a MESSENGER. + + SOLDAN. Awake, ye men of Memphis! [186] hear the clang + Of Scythian trumpets; hear the basilisks, [187] + That, roaring, shake Damascus' turrets down! + The rogue of Volga holds Zenocrate, + The Soldan's daughter, for his concubine, + And, with a troop of thieves and vagabonds, + Hath spread his colours to our high disgrace, + While you, faint-hearted base Egyptians, + Lie slumbering on the flowery banks of Nile, + As crocodiles that unaffrighted rest + While thundering cannons rattle on their skins. + + MESSENGER. Nay, mighty Soldan, did your greatness see + The frowning looks of fiery Tamburlaine, + That with his terror and imperious eyes + Commands the hearts of his associates, + It might amaze your royal majesty. + + SOLDAN. Villain, I tell thee, were that Tamburlaine + As monstrous [188] as Gorgon prince of hell, + The Soldan would not start a foot from him. + But speak, what power hath he? + + MESSENGER. Mighty lord, + Three hundred thousand men in armour clad, + Upon their prancing steeds, disdainfully + With wanton paces trampling on the ground; + Five hundred thousand footmen threatening shot, + Shaking their swords, their spears, and iron bills, + Environing their standard round, that stood + As bristle-pointed as a thorny wood; + Their warlike engines and munition + Exceed the forces of their martial men. + + SOLDAN. Nay, could their numbers countervail the stars, + Or ever-drizzling [189] drops of April showers, + Or wither'd leaves that autumn shaketh down, + Yet would the Soldan by his conquering power + So scatter and consume them in his rage, + That not a man should [190] live to rue their fall. + + CAPOLIN. So might your highness, had you time to sort + Your fighting men, and raise your royal host; + But Tamburlaine by expedition + Advantage takes of your unreadiness. + + SOLDAN. Let him take all th' advantages he can: + Were all the world conspir'd to fight for him, + Nay, were he devil, [191] as he is no man, + Yet in revenge of fair Zenocrate, + Whom he detaineth in despite of us, + This arm should send him down to Erebus, + To shroud his shame in darkness of the night. + + MESSENGER. Pleaseth your mightiness to understand, + His resolution far exceedeth all. + The first day when he pitcheth down his tents, + White is their hue, and on his silver crest + A snowy feather spangled-white he bears, + To signify the mildness of his mind, + That, satiate with spoil, refuseth blood: + But, when Aurora mounts the second time, + As red as scarlet is his furniture; + Then must his kindled wrath be quench'd with blood, + Not sparing any that can manage arms: + But, if these threats move not submission, + Black are his colours, black pavilion; + His spear, his shield, his horse, his armour, plumes, + And jetty feathers, menace death and hell; + Without respect of sex, degree, or age, + He razeth all his foes with fire and sword. + + SOLDAN. Merciless villain, peasant, ignorant + Of lawful arms or martial discipline! + Pillage and murder are his usual trades: + The slave usurps the glorious name of war. + See, Capolin, the fair Arabian king, [192] + That hath been disappointed by this slave + Of my fair daughter and his princely love, + May have fresh warning to go war with us, + And be reveng'd for her disparagement. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE II. + + Enter TAMBURLAINE, TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, + ZENOCRATE, ANIPPE, two MOORS drawing BAJAZETH in a cage, + and ZABINA following him. + + TAMBURLAINE. Bring out my footstool. + + [They take BAJAZETH out of the cage.] + + BAJAZETH. Ye holy priests of heavenly Mahomet, + That, sacrificing, slice and cut your flesh, + Staining his altars with your purple blood, + Make heaven to frown, and every fixed star + To suck up poison from the moorish fens, + And pour it [193] in this glorious tyrant's throat! + + TAMBURLAINE. The chiefest god, first mover of that sphere + Enchas'd with thousands ever-shining lamps, + Will sooner burn the glorious frame of heaven + Than it should [194] so conspire my overthrow. + But, villain, thou that wishest this [195] to me, + Fall prostrate on the low disdainful earth, + And be the footstool of great Tamburlaine, + That I may rise into [196] my royal throne. + + BAJAZETH. First shalt thou rip my bowels with thy sword, + And sacrifice my heart [197] to death and hell, + Before I yield to such a slavery. + + TAMBURLAINE. Base villain, vassal, slave to Tamburlaine, + Unworthy to embrace or touch the ground + That bears the honour of my royal weight; + Stoop, villain, stoop! stoop; [198] for so he bids + That may command thee piecemeal to be torn, + Or scatter'd like the lofty cedar-trees + Struck with the voice of thundering Jupiter. + + BAJAZETH. Then, as I look down to the damned fiends, + Fiends, look on me! and thou, dread god of hell, + With ebon sceptre strike this hateful earth, + And make it swallow both of us at once! + + [TAMBURLAINE gets up on him into his chair.] + + TAMBURLAINE. Now clear the triple region of the air, + And let the Majesty of Heaven behold + Their scourge and terror tread on emperors. + Smile, stars that reign'd at my nativity, + And dim the brightness of your [199] neighbour lamps; + Disdain to borrow light of Cynthia! + For I, the chiefest lamp of all the earth, + First rising in the east with mild aspect, + But fixed now in the meridian line, + Will send up fire to your turning spheres, + And cause the sun to borrow light of you. + My sword struck fire from his coat of steel, + Even in Bithynia, when I took this Turk; + As when a fiery exhalation, + Wrapt in the bowels of a freezing cloud, + Fighting for passage, make[s] the welkin crack, + And casts a flash of lightning to [200] the earth: + But, ere I march to wealthy Persia, + Or leave Damascus and th' Egyptian fields, + As was the fame of Clymene's brain-sick son + That almost brent [201] the axle-tree of heaven, + So shall our swords, our lances, and our shot + Fill all the air with fiery meteors; + Then, when the sky shall wax as red as blood, + It shall be said I made it red myself, + To make me think of naught but blood and war. + + ZABINA. Unworthy king, that by thy cruelty + Unlawfully usurp'st the Persian seat, + Dar'st thou, that never saw an emperor + Before thou met my husband in the field, + Being thy captive, thus abuse his state, + Keeping his kingly body in a cage, + That roofs of gold and sun-bright palaces + Should have prepar'd to entertain his grace? + And treading him beneath thy loathsome feet, + Whose feet the kings [202] of Africa have kiss'd? + + TECHELLES. You must devise some torment worse, my lord, + To make these captives rein their lavish tongues. + + TAMBURLAINE. Zenocrate, look better to your slave. + + ZENOCRATE. She is my handmaid's slave, and she shall look + That these abuses flow not from [203] her tongue.-- + Chide her, Anippe. + + ANIPPE. Let these be warnings, then, for you, [204] my slave, + How you abuse the person of the king; + Or else I swear to have you whipt stark nak'd. [205] + + BAJAZETH. Great Tamburlaine, great in my overthrow, + Ambitious pride shall make thee fall as low, + For treading on the back of Bajazeth, + That should be horsed on four mighty kings. + + TAMBURLAINE. Thy names, and titles, and thy dignities [206] + Are fled from Bajazeth, and remain with me, + That will maintain it 'gainst a world of kings.-- + Put him in again. + + [They put him into the cage.] + + BAJAZETH. Is this a place for mighty Bajazeth? + Confusion light on him that helps thee thus! + + TAMBURLAINE. There, whiles [207] he lives, shall Bajazeth be kept; + And, where I go, be thus in triumph drawn; + And thou, his wife, shalt [208] feed him with the scraps + My servitors shall bring thee from my board; + For he that gives him other food than this, + Shall sit by him, and starve to death himself: + This is my mind, and I will have it so. + Not all the kings and emperors of the earth, + If they would lay their crowne before my feet, + Shall ransom him, or take him from his cage: + The ages that shall talk of Tamburlaine, + Even from this day to Plato's wondrous year, + Shall talk how I have handled Bajazeth: + These Moors, that drew him from Bithynia + To fair Damascus, where we now remain, + Shall lead him with us wheresoe'er we go.-- + Techelles, and my loving followers, + Now may we see Damascus' lofty towers, + Like to the shadows of Pyramides + That with their beauties grace [209] the Memphian fields. + The golden stature [210] of their feather'd bird, [211] + That spreads her wings upon the city-walls, + Shall not defend it from our battering shot: + The townsmen mask in silk and cloth of gold, + And every house is as a treasury; + The men, the treasure, and the town are [212] ours. + + THERIDAMAS. Your tents of white now pitch'd before the gates, + And gentle flags of amity display'd, + I doubt not but the governor will yield, + Offering Damascus to your majesty. + + TAMBURLAINE. So shall he have his life, and all the rest: + But, if he stay until the bloody flag + Be once advanc'd on my vermilion tent, + He dies, and those that kept us out so long; + And, when they see me march in black array, + With mournful streamers hanging down their heads, + Were in that city all the world contain'd, + Not one should scape, but perish by our swords. + + ZENOCRATE. Yet would you have some pity for my sake, + Because it is my country [213] and my father's. + + TAMBURLAINE. Not for the world, Zenocrate, if I have sworn.-- + Come; bring in the Turk. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE III. + + Enter SOLDAN, KING OF ARABIA, [214] CAPOLIN, and SOLDIERS, + with streaming colours. + + SOLDAN. Methinks we march as Meleager did, + Environed with brave Argolian knights, + To chase the savage Calydonian [215] boar, + Or Cephalus, with lusty [216] Theban youths, + Against the wolf that angry Themis sent + To waste and spoil the sweet Aonian fields. + A monster of five hundred thousand heads, + Compact of rapine, piracy, and spoil, + The scum of men, the hate and scourge of God, + Raves in Aegyptia, and annoyeth us: + My lord, it is the bloody Tamburlaine, + A sturdy felon, and [217] a base-bred thief, + By murder raised to the Persian crown, + That dare control us in our territories. + To tame the pride of this presumptuous beast, + Join your Arabians with the Soldan's power; + Let us unite our royal bands in one, + And hasten to remove Damascus' siege. + It is a blemish to the majesty + And high estate of mighty emperors, + That such a base usurping vagabond + Should brave a king, or wear a princely crown. + + KING OF ARABIA. Renowmed [218] Soldan, have you lately heard + The overthrow of mighty Bajazeth + About the confines of Bithynia? + The slavery wherewith he persecutes + The noble Turk and his great emperess? + + SOLDAN. I have, and sorrow for his bad success; + But, noble lord of great Arabia, + Be so persuaded that the Soldan is + No more dismay'd with tidings of his fall, + Than in the haven when the pilot stands, + And views a stranger's ship rent in the winds, + And shivered against a craggy rock: + Yet in compassion to his wretched state, + A sacred vow to heaven and him I make, + Confirming it with Ibis' holy name, [219] + That Tamburlaine shall rue the day, the [220] hour, + Wherein he wrought such ignominious wrong + Unto the hallow'd person of a prince, + Or kept the fair Zenocrate so long, + As concubine, I fear, to feed his lust. + + KING OF ARABIA. Let grief and fury hasten on revenge; + Let Tamburlaine for his offences feel + Such plagues as heaven and we can pour on him: + I long to break my spear upon his crest, + And prove the weight of his victorious arm; + For fame, I fear, hath been too prodigal + In sounding through the world his partial praise. + + SOLDAN. Capolin, hast thou survey'd our powers? + + CAPOLIN. Great emperors of Egypt and Arabia, + The number of your hosts united is, + A hundred and fifty thousand horse, + Two hundred thousand foot, brave men-at-arms, + Courageous and [221] full of hardiness, + As frolic as the hunters in the chase + Of savage beasts amid the desert woods. + + KING OF ARABIA. My mind presageth fortunate success; + And, Tamburlaine, my spirit doth foresee + The utter ruin of thy men and thee. + + SOLDAN. Then rear your standards; let your sounding drums + Direct our soldiers to Damascus' walls.-- + Now, Tamburlaine, the mighty Soldan comes, + And leads with him the great Arabian king, + To dim thy baseness and [222] obscurity, + Famous for nothing but for theft and spoil; + To raze and scatter thy inglorious crew + Of Scythians and slavish Persians. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +SCENE IV. + + A banquet set out; and to it come TAMBURLAINE all in + scarlet, ZENOCRATE, THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, + BAJAZETH drawn in his cage, ZABINA, and others. + + TAMBURLAINE. Now hang our bloody colours by Damascus, + Reflexing hues of blood upon their heads, + While they walk quivering on their city-walls, + Half-dead for fear before they feel my wrath. + Then let us freely banquet, and carouse + Full bowls of wine unto the god of war, + That means to fill your helmets full of gold, + And make Damascus' spoils as rich to you + As was to Jason Colchos' golden fleece.-- + And now, Bajazeth, hast thou any stomach? + + BAJAZETH. Ay, such a stomach, cruel Tamburlaine, as I could + willingly feed upon thy blood-raw heart. + + TAMBURLAINE. Nay, thine own is easier to come by: pluck out + that; and 'twill serve thee and thy wife.--Well, Zenocrate, + Techelles, and the rest, fall to your victuals. + + BAJAZETH. Fall to, and never may your meat digest!-- + Ye Furies, that can mask [223] invisible, + Dive to the bottom of Avernus' pool, + And in your hands bring hellish poison up, + And squeeze it in the cup of Tamburlaine! + Or, winged snakes of Lerna, cast your stings, + And leave your venoms in this tyrant's dish? + + ZABINA. And may this banquet prove as ominous + As Progne's to th' adulterous Thracian king + That fed upon the substance of his child! + + ZENOCRATE. My lord, [224] how can you suffer these + Outrageous curses by these slaves of yours? + + TAMBURLAINE. To let them see, divine Zenocrate, + I glory in the curses of my foes, + Having the power from the empyreal heaven + To turn them all upon their proper heads. + + TECHELLES. I pray you, give them leave, madam; this speech + is a goodly refreshing for them. [225] + + THERIDAMAS. But, if his highness would let them be fed, + it would do them more good. + + TAMBURLAINE. Sirrah, why fall you not to? are you so daintily + brought up, you cannot eat your own flesh? + + BAJAZETH. First, legions of devils shall tear thee in pieces. + + USUMCASANE. Villain, knowest thou to whom thou speakest? + + TAMBURLAINE. O, let him alone.--Here; [226] eat, sir; take it + from [227] my sword's point, or I'll thrust it to thy heart. + + [BAJAZETH takes the food, and stamps upon it.] + + THERIDAMAS. He stamps it under his feet, my lord. + + TAMBURLAINE. Take it up, villain, and eat it; or I will make thee + slice [228] the brawns of thy arms into carbonadoes and eat them. + + USUMCASANE. Nay, 'twere better he killed his wife, and then she + shall be sure not to be starved, and he be provided for a month's + victual beforehand. + + TAMBURLAINE. Here is my dagger: despatch her while she is fat; + for, if she live but a while longer, she will fall [229] into a + consumption with fretting, and then she will not be worth the + eating. + + THERIDAMAS. Dost thou think that Mahomet will suffer this? + + TECHELLES. 'Tis like he will, when he cannot let [230] it. + + TAMBURLAINE. Go to; fall to your meat. What, not a bit!--Belike + he hath not been watered to-day: give him some drink. + + [They give BAJAZETH water to drink, and he flings it on + the ground.] + + Fast, and welcome, sir, while [231] hunger make you eat.--How now, + Zenocrate! doth not the Turk and his wife make a goodly show at a + banquet? + + ZENOCRATE. Yes, my lord. + + THERIDAMAS. + Methinks 'tis a great deal better than a consort [232] of music. + + TAMBURLAINE. Yet music would do well to cheer up Zenocrate. + Pray thee, tell why art thou so sad? if thou wilt have a song, + the Turk shall strain his voice: but why is it? + + ZENOCRATE. My lord, to see my father's town besieg'd, + The country wasted where myself was born, + How can it but afflict my very soul? + If any love remain in you, my lord, + Or if my love unto your majesty + May merit favour at your highness' hands, + Then raise your siege from fair Damascus' walls, + And with my father take a friendly truce. + + TAMBURLAINE. Zenocrate, were Egypt Jove's own land, + Yet would I with my sword make Jove to stoop. + I will confute those blind geographers + That make a triple region in the world, + Excluding regions which I mean to trace, + And with this pen [233] reduce them to a map, + Calling the provinces, cities, and towns, + After my name and thine, Zenocrate: + Here at Damascus will I make the point + That shall begin the perpendicular: + And wouldst thou have me buy thy father's love + With such a loss? tell me, Zenocrate. + + ZENOCRATE. Honour still wait on happy Tamburlaine! + Yet give me leave to plead for him, my lord. + + TAMBURLAINE. Content thyself: his person shall be safe, + And all the friends of fair Zenocrate, + If with their lives they will be pleas'd to yield, + Or may be forc'd to make me emperor; + For Egypt and Arabia must be mine.-- + Feed, you slave; thou mayst think thyself happy to be fed from + my trencher. + + BAJAZETH. My empty stomach, full of idle heat, + Draws bloody humours from my feeble parts, + Preserving life by hastening [234] cruel death. + My veins are pale; my sinews hard and dry; + My joints benumb'd; unless I eat, I die. + + ZABINA. Eat, Bajazeth; let us live in spite of them, looking + some happy power will pity and enlarge us. + + TAMBURLAINE. Here, Turk; wilt thou have a clean trencher? + + BAJAZETH. Ay, tyrant, and more meat. + + TAMBURLAINE. Soft, sir! you must be dieted; too much eating + will make you surfeit. + + THERIDAMAS. So it would, my lord, 'specially [235] having so small + a walk and so little exercise. + + [A second course is brought in of crowns.] + + TAMBURLAINE. Theridamas, Techelles, and Casane, here are the + cates you desire to finger, are they not? + + THERIDAMAS. Ay, my lord: but none save kings must feed with + these. + + TECHELLES. 'Tis enough for us to see them, and for Tamburlaine + only to enjoy them. + + TAMBURLAINE. Well; here is now to the Soldan of Egypt, the King + of Arabia, and the Governor of Damascus. Now, take these three + crowns, and pledge me, my contributory kings. I crown you here, + Theridamas, king of Argier; Techelles, king of Fez; and + Usumcasane, king of Morocco. [236]--How say you to this, Turk? these are + not your contributory kings. + + BAJAZETH. Nor shall they long be thine, I warrant them. + + TAMBURLAINE. Kings of Argier, Morocco, and of Fez, + You that have march'd with happy Tamburlaine + As far as from the frozen plage [237] of heaven + Unto the watery Morning's ruddy bower, + And thence by land unto the torrid zone, + Deserve these titles I endow you with + By valour [238] and by magnanimity. + Your births shall be no blemish to your fame; + For virtue is the fount whence honour springs, + And they are worthy she investeth kings. + + THERIDAMAS. And, since your highness hath so well vouchsaf'd, + If we deserve them not with higher meeds + Than erst our states and actions have retain'd, + Take them away again, [239] and make us slaves. + + TAMBURLAINE. Well said, Theridamas: when holy Fates + Shall stablish me in strong Aegyptia, + We mean to travel to th' antarctic pole, + Conquering the people underneath our feet, + And be renowm'd [240] as never emperors were.-- + Zenocrate, I will not crown thee yet, + Until with greater honours I be grac'd. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + +ACT V. + + + + +SCENE I. + + Enter the GOVERNOR OF DAMASCUS [241] with three or four + CITIZENS, and four VIRGINS with branches of laurel in + their hands. + + GOVERNOR. Still doth this man, or rather god of war, + Batter our walls and beat our turrets down; + And to resist with longer stubbornness, + Or hope of rescue from the Soldan's power, + Were but to bring our wilful overthrow, + And make us desperate of our threaten'd lives. + We see his tents have now been altered + With terrors to the last and cruel'st hue; + His coal-black colours, every where advanc'd, + Threaten our city with a general spoil; + And, if we should with common rites of arms + Offer our safeties to his clemency, + I fear the custom proper to his sword, + Which he observes as parcel of his fame, + Intending so to terrify the world, + By any innovation or remorse [242] + Will never be dispens'd with till our deaths. + Therefore, for these our harmless virgins' sakes, [243] + Whose honours and whose lives rely on him, + Let us have hope that their unspotted prayers, + Their blubber'd [244] cheeks, and hearty humble moans, + Will melt his fury into some remorse, + And use us like a loving conqueror. [245] + + FIRST VIRGIN. If humble suite or imprecations + (Utter'd with tears of wretchedness and blood + Shed from the heads and hearts of all our sex, + Some made your wives, and some your children,) + Might have entreated your obdurate breasts + To entertain some care [246] of our securities + Whiles only danger beat upon our walls, + These more than dangerous warrants of our death + Had never been erected as they be, + Nor you depend on such weak helps [247] as we. + + GOVERNOR. Well, lovely virgins, think our country's care, + Our love of honour, loath to be enthrall'd + To foreign powers and rough imperious yokes, + Would not with too much cowardice or [248] fear, + Before all hope of rescue were denied, + Submit yourselves and us to servitude. + Therefore, in that your safeties and our own, + Your honours, liberties, and lives were weigh'd + In equal care and balance with our own, + Endure as we the malice of our stars, + The wrath of Tamburlaine and power [249] of wars; + Or be the means the overweighing heavens + Have kept to qualify these hot extremes, + And bring us pardon in your cheerful looks. + + SECOND VIRGIN. Then here, before the Majesty of Heaven + And holy patrons of Aegyptia, + With knees and hearts submissive we entreat + Grace to our words and pity to our looks, + That this device may prove propitious, + And through the eyes and ears of Tamburlaine + Convey events of mercy to his heart; + Grant that these signs of victory we yield + May bind the temples of his conquering head, + To hide the folded furrows of his brows, + And shadow his displeased countenance + With happy looks of ruth and lenity. + Leave us, my lord, and loving countrymen: + What simple virgins may persuade, we will. + + GOVERNOR. Farewell, sweet virgins, on whose safe return + Depends our city, liberty, and lives. + + [Exeunt all except the VIRGINS.] + + Enter TAMBURLAINE, all in black and very melancholy, + TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, with others. + + TAMBURLAINE. What, are the turtles fray'd out of their nests? + Alas, poor fools, must you be first shall feel + The sworn destruction of Damascus? + They knew [250] my custom; could they not as well + Have sent ye out when first my milk-white flags, + Through which sweet Mercy threw her gentle beams, + Reflexed [251] them on their [252] disdainful eyes, + As [253] now when fury and incensed hate + Flings slaughtering terror from my coal-black tents, [254] + And tells for truth submission [255] comes too late? + + FIRST VIRGIN. Most happy king and emperor of the earth, + Image of honour and nobility, + For whom the powers divine have made the world, + And on whose throne the holy Graces sit; + In whose sweet person is compris'd the sum + Of Nature's skill and heavenly majesty; + Pity our plights! O, pity poor Damascus! + Pity old age, within whose silver hairs + Honour and reverence evermore have reign'd! + Pity the marriage-bed, where many a lord, + In prime and glory of his loving joy, + Embraceth now with tears of ruth and [256] blood + The jealous body of his fearful wife, + Whose cheeks and hearts, so punish'd with conceit, [257] + To think thy puissant never-stayed arm + Will part their bodies, and prevent their souls + From heavens of comfort yet their age might bear, + Now wax all pale and wither'd to the death, + As well for grief our ruthless governor + Hath [258] thus refus'd the mercy of thy hand, + (Whose sceptre angels kiss and Furies dread,) + As for their liberties, their loves, or lives! + O, then, for these, and such as we ourselves, + For us, for infants, and for all our bloods, + That never nourish'd [259] thought against thy rule, + Pity, O, pity, sacred emperor, + The prostrate service of this wretched town; + And take in sign thereof this gilded wreath, + Whereto each man of rule hath given his hand, + And wish'd, [260] as worthy subjects, happy means + To be investers of thy royal brows + Even with the true Egyptian diadem! + + TAMBURLAINE. Virgins, in vain you labour to prevent + That which mine honour swears shall be perform'd. + Behold my sword; what see you at the point? + + FIRST VIRGIN. Nothing but fear and fatal steel, my lord. + + TAMBURLAINE. Your fearful minds are thick and misty, then, + For there sits Death; there sits imperious [261] Death, + Keeping his circuit by the slicing edge. + But I am pleas'd you shall not see him there; + He now is seated on my horsemen's spears, + And on their points his fleshless body feeds.-- + Techelles, straight go charge a few of them + To charge these dames, and shew my servant Death, + Sitting in scarlet on their armed spears. + + VIRGINS. O, pity us! + + TAMBURLAINE. Away with them, I say, and shew them Death! + [The VIRGINS are taken out by TECHELLES and others.] + I will not spare these proud Egyptians, + Nor change my martial observations + For all the wealth of Gihon's golden waves, + Or for the love of Venus, would she leave + The angry god of arms and lie with me. + They have refus'd the offer of their lives, + And know my customs are as peremptory + As wrathful planets, death, or destiny. + + Re-enter TECHELLES. + + What, have your horsemen shown the virgins Death? + + TECHELLES. They have, my lord, and on Damascus' walls + Have hoisted up their slaughter'd carcasses. + + TAMBURLAINE. A sight as baneful to their souls, I think, + As are Thessalian drugs or mithridate: + But go, my lords, put the rest to the sword. + + [Exeunt all except TAMBURLAINE.] + + Ah, fair Zenocrate!--divine Zenocrate! + Fair is too foul an epithet for thee,-- + That in thy passion [262] for thy country's love, + And fear to see thy kingly father's harm, + With hair dishevell'd wip'st thy watery cheeks; + And, like to Flora in her morning's pride, + Shaking her silver tresses in the air, + Rain'st on the earth resolved [263] pearl in showers, + And sprinklest sapphires on thy shining face, + Where Beauty, mother to the Muses, sits, + And comments volumes with her ivory pen, + Taking instructions from thy flowing eyes; + Eyes, when that Ebena steps to heaven, [264] + In silence of thy solemn evening's walk, + Making the mantle of the richest night, + The moon, the planets, and the meteors, light; + There angels in their crystal armours fight [265] + A doubtful battle with my tempted thoughts + For Egypt's freedom and the Soldan's life, + His life that so consumes Zenocrate; + Whose sorrows lay more siege unto my soul + Than all my army to Damascus' walls; + And neither Persia's [266] sovereign nor the Turk + Troubled my senses with conceit of foil + So much by much as doth Zenocrate. + What is beauty, saith my sufferings, then? + If all the pens that ever poets held + Had fed the feeling of their masters' thoughts, + And every sweetness that inspir'd their hearts, + Their minds, and muses on admired themes; + If all the heavenly quintessence they still [267] + From their immortal flowers of poesy, + Wherein, as in a mirror, we perceive + The highest reaches of a human wit; + If these had made one poem's period, + And all combin'd in beauty's worthiness, + Yet should there hover in their restless heads + One thought, one grace, one wonder, at the least, + Which into words no virtue can digest. + But how unseemly is it for my sex, + My discipline of arms and chivalry, + My nature, and the terror of my name, + To harbour thoughts effeminate and faint! + Save only that in beauty's just applause, + With whose instinct the soul of man is touch'd; + And every warrior that is rapt with love + Of fame, of valour, and of victory, + Must needs have beauty beat on his conceits: + I thus conceiving, [268] and subduing both, + That which hath stoop'd the chiefest of the gods, + Even from the fiery-spangled veil of heaven, + To feel the lovely warmth of shepherds' flames, + And mask in cottages of strowed reeds, + Shall give the world to note, for all my birth, + That virtue solely is the sum of glory, + And fashions men with true nobility.-- + Who's within there? + + Enter ATTENDANTS. + + Hath Bajazeth been fed to-day? + + ATTEND. [269] Ay, my lord. + + TAMBURLAINE. Bring him forth; and let us know if the town be + ransacked. + + [Exeunt ATTENDANTS.] + + Enter TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, and others. + + TECHELLES. The town is ours, my lord, and fresh supply + Of conquest and of spoil is offer'd us. + + TAMBURLAINE. That's well, Techelles. What's the news? + + TECHELLES. The Soldan and the Arabian king together + March on us with [270] such eager violence + As if there were no way but one with us. [271] + + TAMBURLAINE. No more there is not, I warrant thee, Techelles. + + ATTENDANTS bring in BAJAZETH in his cage, followed by + ZABINA. + Exeunt ATTENDANTS. + + THERIDAMAS. We know the victory is ours, my lord; + But let us save the reverend Soldan's life + For fair Zenocrate that so laments his state. + + TAMBURLAINE. That will we chiefly see unto, Theridamas, + For sweet Zenocrate, whose worthiness + Deserves a conquest over every heart.-- + And now, my footstool, if I lose the field, + You hope of liberty and restitution?-- + Here let him stay, my masters, from the tents, + Till we have made us ready for the field.-- + Pray for us, Bajazeth; we are going. + [Exeunt all except BAJAZETH and ZABINA.] + + BAJAZETH. Go, never to return with victory! + Millions of men encompass thee about, + And gore thy body with as many wounds! + Sharp forked arrows light upon thy horse! + Furies from the black Cocytus' lake, + Break up the earth, and with their fire-brands + Enforce thee run upon the baneful pikes! + Vollies of shot pierce through thy charmed skin, + And every bullet dipt in poison'd drugs! + Or roaring cannons sever all thy joints, + Making thee mount as high as eagles soar! + + ZABINA. Let all the swords and lances in the field + Stick in his breast as in their proper rooms! + At every pore [272] let blood come dropping forth, + That lingering pains may massacre his heart, + And madness send his damned soul to hell! + + BAJAZETH. Ah, fair Zabina! we may curse his power, + The heavens may frown, the earth for anger quake; + But such a star hath influence in [273] his sword + As rules the skies and countermands the gods + More than Cimmerian Styx or Destiny: + And then shall we in this detested guise, + With shame, with hunger, and with horror stay, [274] + Griping our bowels with retorqued [275] thoughts, + And have no hope to end our ecstasies. + + ZABINA. Then is there left no Mahomet, no God, + No fiend, no fortune, nor no hope of end + To our infamous, monstrous slaveries. + Gape, earth, and let the fiends infernal view + A [276] hell as hopeless and as full of fear + As are the blasted banks of Erebus, + Where shaking ghosts with ever-howling groans + Hover about the ugly ferryman, + To get a passage to Elysium! [277] + Why should we live?--O, wretches, beggars, slaves!-- + Why live we, Bajazeth, and build up nests + So high within the region of the air, + By living long in this oppression, + That all the world will see and laugh to scorn + The former triumphs of our mightiness + In this obscure infernal servitude? + + BAJAZETH. O life, more loathsome to my vexed thoughts [278] + Than noisome parbreak [279] of the Stygian snakes, + Which fills the nooks of hell with standing air, + Infecting all the ghosts with cureless griefs! + O dreary engines of my loathed sight, + That see my crown, my honour, and my name + Thrust under yoke and thraldom of a thief, + Why feed ye still on day's accursed beams, + And sink not quite into my tortur'd soul? + You see my wife, my queen, and emperess, + Brought up and propped by the hand of Fame, + Queen of fifteen contributory queens, + Now thrown to rooms of black abjection, [280] + Smeared with blots of basest drudgery, + And villainess [281] to shame, disdain, and misery. + Accursed Bajazeth, whose words of ruth, [282] + That would with pity cheer Zabina's heart, + And make our souls resolve [283] in ceaseless tears, + Sharp hunger bites upon and gripes the root + From whence the issues of my thoughts do break! + O poor Zabina! O my queen, my queen! + Fetch me some water for my burning breast, + To cool and comfort me with longer date, + That, in the shorten'd sequel of my life, + I may pour forth my soul into thine arms + With words of love, whose moaning intercourse + Hath hitherto been stay'd with wrath and hate + Of our expressless bann'd [284] inflictions. + + ZABINA. Sweet Bajazeth, I will prolong thy life + As long as any blood or spark of breath + Can quench or cool the torments of my grief. + + [Exit.] + + BAJAZETH. Now, Bajazeth, abridge thy baneful days, + And beat the [285] brains out of thy conquer'd head, + Since other means are all forbidden me, + That may be ministers of my decay. + O highest lamp of ever-living [286] Jove, + Accursed day, infected with my griefs, + Hide now thy stained face in endless night, + And shut the windows of the lightsome heavens! + Let ugly Darkness with her rusty coach, + Engirt with tempests, wrapt in pitchy clouds, + Smother the earth with never-fading mists, + And let her horses from their nostrils breathe + Rebellious winds and dreadful thunder-claps, + That in this terror Tamburlaine may live, + And my pin'd soul, resolv'd in liquid air, + May still excruciate his tormented thoughts! + Then let the stony dart of senseless cold + Pierce through the centre of my wither'd heart, + And make a passage for my loathed life! + + [He brains himself against the cage.] + + Re-enter ZABINA. + + ZABINA. What do mine eyes behold? my husband dead! + His skull all riven in twain! his brains dash'd out, + The brains of Bajazeth, my lord and sovereign! + O Bajazeth, my husband and my lord! + O Bajazeth! O Turk! O emperor! + Give him his liquor? not I. Bring milk and fire, and my blood + I bring him again.--Tear me in pieces--give [287] me the sword + with a ball of wild-fire upon it.--Down with him! down with + him!--Go to my child; away, away, away! ah, save that infant! + save him, save him!--I, even I, speak to her. [288]--The sun was + down--streamers white, red, black--Here, here, here!--Fling the + meat in his face--Tamburlaine, Tamburlaine!--Let the soldiers be + buried.--Hell, death, Tamburlaine, [289] hell!--Make ready my + coach, [290] my chair, my jewels.--I come, I come, I come! [291] + + [She runs against the cage, and brains herself.] + + Enter ZENOCRATE with ANIPPE. + + ZENOCRATE. Wretched Zenocrate! that liv'st to see + Damascus' walls dy'd with Egyptians' [292] blood, + Thy father's subjects and thy countrymen; + The [293] streets strow'd with dissever'd joints of men, + And wounded bodies gasping yet for life; + But most accurs'd, to see the sun-bright troop + Of heavenly virgins and unspotted maids + (Whose looks might make the angry god of arms + To break his sword and mildly treat of love) + On horsemen's lances to be hoisted up, + And guiltlessly endure a cruel death; + For every fell and stout Tartarian steed, + That stamp'd on others with their thundering hoofs, + When all their riders charg'd their quivering spears, + Began to check the ground and rein themselves, + Gazing upon the beauty of their looks. + Ah, Tamburlaine, wert thou the cause of this, + That term'st Zenocrate thy dearest love? + Whose lives were dearer to Zenocrate + Than her own life, or aught save thine own love. + But see, another bloody spectacle! + Ah, wretched eyes, the enemies of my heart, + How are ye glutted with these grievous objects, + And tell my soul more tales of bleeding ruth!-- + See, see, Anippe, if they breathe or no. + + ANIPPE. No breath, nor sense, nor motion, in them both: + Ah, madam, this their slavery hath enforc'd, + And ruthless cruelty of Tamburlaine! + + ZENOCRATE. Earth, cast up fountains from thy [294] entrails, + And wet thy cheeks for their untimely deaths; + Shake with their weight in sign of fear and grief! + Blush, heaven, that gave them honour at their birth, + And let them die a death so barbarous! + Those that are proud of fickle empery + And place their chiefest good in earthly pomp, + Behold the Turk and his great emperess! + Ah, Tamburlaine my love, sweet Tamburlaine, + That fight'st for sceptres and for slippery crowns, + Behold the Turk and his great emperess! + Thou that, in conduct of thy happy stars, + Sleep'st every night with conquest on thy brows, + And yet wouldst shun the wavering turns of war, [295] + In fear and feeling of the like distress + Behold the Turk and his great emperess! + Ah, mighty Jove and holy Mahomet, + Pardon my love! O, pardon his contempt + Of earthly fortune and respect of pity; + And let not conquest, ruthlessly pursu'd, + Be equally against his life incens'd + In this great Turk and hapless emperess! + And pardon me that was not mov'd with ruth + To see them live so long in misery!-- + Ah, what may chance to thee, Zenocrate? + + ANIPPE. Madam, content yourself, and be resolv'd + Your love hath Fortune so at his command, + That she shall stay, and turn her wheel no more, + As long as life maintains his mighty arm + That fights for honour to adorn your head. + + Enter PHILEMUS. + + ZENOCRATE. What other heavy news now brings Philemus? + + PHILEMUS. Madam, your father, and the Arabian king, + The first affecter of your excellence, + Come [296] now, as Turnus 'gainst Aeneas did, + Armed [297] with lance into the Aegyptian fields, + Ready for battle 'gainst my lord the king. + + ZENOCRATE. Now shame and duty, love and fear present + A thousand sorrows to my martyr'd soul. + Whom should I wish the fatal victory, + When my poor pleasures are divided thus, + And rack'd by duty from my cursed heart? + My father and my first-betrothed love + Must fight against my life and present love; + Wherein the change I use condemns my faith, + And makes my deeds infamous through the world: + But, as the gods, to end the Trojans' toil, + Prevented Turnus of Lavinia, + And fatally enrich'd Aeneas' love, + So, for a final [298] issue to my griefs, + To pacify my country and my love, + Must Tamburlaine by their resistless powers, + With virtue of a gentle victory, + Conclude a league of honour to my hope; + Then, as the powers divine have pre-ordain'd, + With happy safety of my father's life + Send like defence of fair Arabia + + [They sound to the battle within; and TAMBURLAINE enjoys + the victory: after which, the KING OF ARABIA [299] enters + wounded.] + + KING OF ARABIA. What cursed power guides the murdering hands + Of this infamous tyrant's soldiers, + That no escape may save their enemies, + Nor fortune keep themselves from victory? + Lie down, Arabia, wounded to the death, + And let Zenocrate's fair eyes behold, + That, as for her thou bear'st these wretched arms, + Even so for her thou diest in these arms, + Leaving thy [300] blood for witness of thy love. + + ZENOCRATE. Too dear a witness for such love, my lord! + Behold Zenocrate, the cursed object + Whose fortunes never mastered her griefs; + Behold her wounded in conceit [301] for thee, + As much as thy fair body is for me! + + KING OF ARABIA. Then shall I die with full contented heart, + Having beheld divine Zenocrate, + Whose sight with joy would take away my life + As now it bringeth sweetness to my wound, + If I had not been wounded as I am. + Ah, that the deadly pangs I suffer now + Would lend an hour's licence to my tongue, + To make discourse of some sweet accidents + Have chanc'd thy merits in this worthless bondage, + And that I might be privy to the state + Of thy deserv'd contentment and thy love! + But, making now a virtue of thy sight, + To drive all sorrow from my fainting soul, + Since death denies me further cause of joy, + Depriv'd of care, my heart with comfort dies, + Since thy desired hand shall close mine eyes. + + [Dies.] + + Re-enter TAMBURLAINE, leading the SOLDAN; TECHELLES, + THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE, with others. + + TAMBURLAINE. Come, happy father of Zenocrate, + A title higher than thy Soldan's name. + Though my right hand have [302] thus enthralled thee, + Thy princely daughter here shall set thee free; + She that hath calm'd the fury of my sword, + Which had ere this been bath'd in streams of blood + As vast and deep as Euphrates [303] or Nile. + + ZENOCRATE. O sight thrice-welcome to my joyful soul, + To see the king, my father, issue safe + From dangerous battle of my conquering love! + + SOLDAN. Well met, my only dear Zenocrate, + Though with the loss of Egypt and my crown! + + TAMBURLAINE. 'Twas I, my lord, that gat the victory; + And therefore grieve not at your overthrow, + Since I shall render all into your hands, + And add more strength to your dominions + Than ever yet confirm'd th' Egyptian crown. + The god of war resigns his room to me, + Meaning to make me general of the world: + Jove, viewing me in arms, looks pale and wan, + Fearing my power should [304] pull him from his throne: + Where'er I come the Fatal Sisters sweat, [305] + And grisly Death, by running to and fro, + To do their ceaseless homage to my sword: + And here in Afric, where it seldom rains, + Since I arriv'd with my triumphant host, + Have swelling clouds, drawn from wide-gaping [306] wounds, + Been oft resolv'd [307] in bloody purple showers, + A meteor that might terrify the earth, + And make it quake at every drop it drinks: + Millions [308] of souls sit on the banks of Styx, + Waiting the back-return of Charon's boat; + Hell and Elysium [309] swarm with ghosts of men + That I have sent from sundry foughten fields + To spread my fame through hell and up to heaven: + And see, my lord, a sight of strange import,-- + Emperors and kings lie breathless at my feet; + The Turk and his great empress, as it seems, + Left to themselves while we were at the fight, + Have desperately despatch'd their slavish lives: + With them Arabia, too, hath left his life: + All sights of power to grace my victory; + And such are objects fit for Tamburlaine, + Wherein, as in a mirror, may be seen + His honour, that consists in shedding blood + When men presume to manage arms with him. + + SOLDAN. Mighty hath God and Mahomet made thy hand, + Renowmed [310] Tamburlaine, to whom all kings + Of force must yield their crowns and emperies; + And I am pleas'd with this my overthrow, + If, as beseems a person of thy state, + Thou hast with honour us'd Zenocrate. + + TAMBURLAINE. Her state and person want no pomp, you see; + And for all blot of foul inchastity, + I record [311] heaven, her heavenly self is clear: + Then let me find no further time [312] to grace + Her princely temples with the Persian crown; + But here these kings that on my fortunes wait, + And have been crown'd for proved worthiness + Even by this hand that shall establish them, + Shall now, adjoining all their hands with mine, + Invest her here the [313] Queen of Persia + What saith the noble Soldan, and Zenocrate? + + SOLDAN. I yield with thanks and protestations + Of endless honour to thee for her love. + + TAMBURLAINE. Then doubt I not [314] but fair Zenocrate + Will soon consent to satisfy us both. + + ZENOCRATE. Else [315] should I much forget myself, my lord. + + THERIDAMAS. Then let us set the crown upon her head, + That long hath linger'd for so high a seat. + + TECHELLES. My hand is ready to perform the deed; + For now her marriage-time shall work us rest. + + USUMCASANE. And here's the crown, my lord; help set it on. [316] + + TAMBURLAINE. Then sit thou down, divine Zenocrate; + And here we crown thee Queen of Persia, + And all the kingdoms and dominions + That late the power of Tamburlaine subdu'd. + As Juno, when the giants were suppress'd, + That darted mountains at her brother Jove, + So looks my love, shadowing in her brows + Triumphs and trophies for my victories; + Or as Latona's daughter, bent to arms, + Adding more courage to my conquering mind. + To gratify the[e], sweet Zenocrate, + Egyptians, Moors, and men of Asia, + From Barbary unto the Western India, + Shall pay a yearly tribute to thy sire; + And from the bounds of Afric to the banks + Of Ganges shall his mighty arm extend.-- + And now, my lords and loving followers, + That purchas'd kingdoms by your martial deeds, + Cast off your armour, put on scarlet robes, + Mount up your royal places of estate, + Environed with troops of noblemen, + And there make laws to rule your provinces: + Hang up your weapons on Alcides' post[s]; + For Tamburlaine takes truce with all the world.-- + Thy first-betrothed love, Arabia, + Shall we with honour, as beseems, [317] entomb + With this great Turk and his fair emperess. + Then, after all these solemn exequies, + We will our rites [318] of marriage solemnize. + + [Exeunt.] + + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: To the Gentlemen-readers, &c.] From the 8vo of 1592: in the +4tos this address is worded here and there differently. I have +not thought it necessary to mark the varioe lectiones of the +worthy printer's composition.] + +[Footnote 2: histories] i.e. dramas so called,--plays founded on history.] + +[Footnote 3: fond] i.e. foolish.--Concerning the omissions here alluded +to, some remarks will be found in the ACCOUNT OF MARLOWE AND +HIS WRITINGS.] + + The "Account of Marlowe and His Writings," is the + introduction to this book of 'The Works of Christopher + Marlowe.' That is, the book from which this play has been + transcribed. The following is from pages xvi and xvii of + that introduction. + + "This tragedy, which was entered in the Stationers' Books, + 14th August, 1590,[a] and printed during the same year, has + not come down to us in its original fulness; and probably we + have no cause to lament the curtailments which it suffered + from the publisher of the first edition. "I have + purposely," + he says, "omitted and left out some fond and frivolous + gestures, digressing, and, in my poor opinion, far unmeet + for the matter, which I thought might seem more tedious unto + the wise than any way else to be regarded, though haply they + have been of some vain-conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, + what time they were shewed upon the stage in their graced + deformities: nevertheless now to be mixtured in print with + such matter of worth, it would prove a great disgrace to so + honourable and stately a history."[b] By the words, "fond + and frivolous gestures," we are to understand those of the + "clown;" who very frequently figured, with more or less + prominence, even in the most serious dramas of the time. + The introduction of such buffooneries into tragedy[c] is + censured by Hall towards the conclusion of a passage which, + as it mentions "the Turkish Tamberlaine," would seem to be + partly levelled at Marlowe:[d] + + "One higher-pitch'd doth set his soaring thought + On crowned kings that Fortune hath low brought, + Or some vpreared high-aspiring swaine, + As it might be THE TURKISH TAMBERLAINE. + Then weeneth he his base drink-drowned spright + Rapt to the three-fold loft of heauen hight, + When he conceiues vpon his fained stage + The stalking steps of his greate personage, + Graced with huf-cap termes and thundring threats, + That his poore hearers' hayre quite vpright sets. + + * * * * * * * * * + + NOW, LEAST SUCH FRIGHTFULL SHOWES OF FORTUNE'S FALL + AND BLOUDY TYRANTS' RAGE SHOULD CHANCE APALL + THE DEAD-STROKE AUDIENCE, MIDST THE SILENT ROUT + COMES LEAPING IN A SELFE-MISFORMED LOUT, + AND LAUGHES, AND GRINS, AND FRAMES HIS MIMIK FACE, + AND IUSTLES STRAIGHT INTO THE PRINCE'S PLACE: + THEN DOTH THE THEATRE ECCHO ALL ALOUD + WITH GLADSOME NOYSE OF THAT APPLAUDING CROWD: + A GOODLY HOCH-POCH, WHEN VILE RUSSETTINGS + ARE MATCH['D] WITH MONARCHS AND WITH MIGHTIE KINGS!"[e] + + But Hall's taste was more refined and classical than that + of his age; and the success of TAMBURLAINE, in which the + celebrated Alleyn represented the hero,[f] was adequate to + the most sanguine expectations which its author could have + formed.] + + [a] "A ballad entituled the storye of Tamburlayne the + greate," &c. (founded, I suppose, on Marlowe's play) + was entered in the Stationers' Books, 5th Nov. 1594. + + [b] P. 4 of the present volume. + + [c] In Italy, at the commencement of the 18th century + (and probably much later), it was not unusual to + introduce "the Doctor," "Harlequin," "Pantalone," and + "Coviello," into deep tragedies. "I have seen," says + Addison, "a translation of THE CID acted at Bolonia, + which would never have taken, had they not found a + place in it for these buffoons." REMARKS ON SEVERAL + PARTS OF ITALY, &C. IN THE YEARS 1701, 1702, 1703, + p. 68, ed. 1745. + + [d] Perhaps I ought to add, that Marlowe was dead when + (in 1597) the satire, from which these lines are quoted, + was first given to the press. + + [e] Hall's VIRGID. Lib. I. Sat. iii., ed. 1602. + + [f] See Heywood's Prol. to our author's JEW OF MALTA, + p. 142 of the present volume.[See the Project + Gutenberg E-Text of 'The Jew of Malta.' "] + +[Footnote 4: censures] i.e. judgments, opinions.] + +[Footnote 5: Afric] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Affrica."] + +[Footnote 6: their] Old eds. "his."] + +[Footnote 7: through] So the 4to.--The 8vo "thorough."] + +[Footnote 8: incivil] i.e. barbarous.--So the 8vo.--The 4to "vnciuill."] + +[Footnote 9: incontinent] i.e. forthwith, immediately.] + +[Footnote 10: chiefest] So the 8vo.--The 4to "chiefe."] + +[Footnote 11: rout] i.e. crew.] + +[Footnote 12: press] So the 8vo.--The 4to "prease."] + +[Footnote 13: you] So the 8vo.--0mitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 14: all] So the 4to.--0mitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 15: mated] i.e. confounded.] + +[Footnote 16: pass not] i.e. care not.] + +[Footnote 17: regiment] i.e. rule, government.] + +[Footnote 18: resolve] i.e. dissolve.--So the 8vo.--The 4to "dissolue."] + +[Footnote 19: ships] So the 4to.--The 8vo "shippe."] + +[Footnote 20: Pass] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Hast."] + +[Footnote 21: you] So the 8vo.--The 4to "they."] + +[Footnote 22: Ceneus] Here both the old eds. "Conerus."] + +[Footnote 23: states] i.e. noblemen, persons of rank.] + +[Footnote 24: their] So the 8vo.--The 4to "the."] + +[Footnote 25: and Persia] So the 8vo.--The 4to "and OF Persia."] + +[Footnote 26: ever-raging] So the 8vo.--The 4to "RIUER raging."] + +[Footnote 27: ALL] So the 4to.--Omitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 28: And Jove may, &c.] i.e. And may Jove, &c. This collocation +of words is sometimes found in later writers: so in the Prologue +to Fletcher's WOMAN'S PRIZE,--"WHICH this may PROVE!"] + +[Footnote 29: knew] So the 8vo.--The 4to "knowe."] + +[Footnote 30: lords] So the 4to.--The 8vo "Lord."] + +[Footnote 31: injury] This verb frequently occurs in our early writers. +"Then haue you INIURIED manie." Lyly's ALEXANDER AND CAMPASPE, +sig. D 4, ed. 1591. It would seem to have fallen into disuse +soon after the commencement of the 17th century: in Heywood's +WOMAN KILLED WITH KINDNESS, 1607, we find, + + "You INJURY that good man, and wrong me too." + Sig. F 2. + +but in ed. 1617 "injury" is altered to "iniure."] + +[Footnote 32: ALL] So the 4to.--0mitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 33: Who, travelling, &c.] The halting metre shews that there +is some corruption in this and the next line.] + +[Footnote 34: thorough] So the 8vo.--The 4to "through."] + +[Footnote 35: unvalued] i.e. not to be valued, or estimated.] + +[Footnote 36: conceit] i.e. fancy, imagination.] + +[Footnote 37: Rhodope] Old eds. "Rhodolfe."] + +[Footnote 38: valurous] i.e. valuable.] + +[Footnote 39: pools] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Poles."] + +[Footnote 40: resolv'd] i.e. dissolved.--So the 8vo.--The 4to "desolu'd."] + +[Footnote 41: Shall we all offer] The 8vo "Shall we offer" (the word +"all" having dropt out).--The 4to "WE ALL SHALL offer."] + +[Footnote 42: in] The 8vo "it."--Omitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 43: triumph'd] So the 8vo.--The 4to "tryumph."] + +[Footnote 44: brave] i.e. splendidly clad.] + +[Footnote 45: top] So the 4to.--The 8vo "foot."] + +[Footnote 46: mails] i.e. bags, budgets.] + +[Footnote 47: lance] So the 4to.--Here the 8vo has "lanch;" but more than +once in the SEC. PART of the play it has "lance."] + +[Footnote 48: this] So the 8vo.--The 4to "the."--Qy. "Where is this +Scythian SHEPHERD Tamburlaine"? Compare the next words of +Theridamas.] + +[Footnote 49: vaults] Here the 8vo has "vauts,"--"which," says one of the +modern editors, "was common in Marlowe's time:" and so it was; +but in the SEC. PART of this play, act ii. sc. 4, the same 8vo +gives,-- + + "As we descend into the infernal VAULTS."] + +[Footnote 50: thy] So the 8vo.--The 4to "the."] + +[Footnote 51: brave] See note † in preceding column.[i.e. note 44.]] + +[Footnote 52: renowmed] i.e. renowned.--So the 8vo.--The 4to "renowned." +--The form "RENOWMED" (Fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards +in this play, according to the 8vo. It is occasionally found in +writers posterior to Marlowe's time. e.g. + + "Of Constantines great towne RENOUM'D in vaine." + Verses to King James, prefixed to Lord Stirling's + MONARCHICKE TRAGEDIES, ed. 1607.] + +[Footnote 53: cliffs] So the 8vo.--The 4to "cliftes."] + +[Footnote 54: merchants] i.e. merchant-men, ships of trade.] + +[Footnote 55: stems] i.e. prows.] + +[Footnote 56: vail] i.e. lower their flags.] + +[Footnote 57: Bootes] The 8vo "Botees."--The 4to "Boetes."] + +[Footnote 58: competitor] i.e. associate, partner (a sense in which the +word is used by Shakespeare).] + +[Footnote 59: To these] Old eds. "ARE these."] + +[Footnote 60: renowmed] See note ||, p. 11.[i.e. note 52.]--So the 8vo. +--The 4to "renowned."] + +[Footnote 61: statues] So the 4to.--"The first edition reads 'statutes,' +but, as the Scythians worshipped Pylades and Orestes in temples, +we have adopted the reading of the quarto as being most probably +the correct one." Ed. 1826.] + +[Footnote 62: kings] So the 8vo.--The 4to "king."] + +[Footnote 63: Nor thee nor them] The modern editors silently print "Nor +THEY nor THEIRS."] + +[Footnote 64: will] So the 8vo.--Omitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 65: pitch] Is generally equivalent to--stature. ("I would have +you tell me what PITCH he was of, Velim mihi dicas qua STATURA +fuerit." Coles's DICT.) But here it means the highest part of +the body,--the shoulders (see the 10th sign. of PITCH in +Halliwell's DICT. OF ARCH. AND PROV. WORDS),--the "pearl" being, +of course, his head.] + +[Footnote 66: and] So the 4to.--The 8vo "with."] + +[Footnote 67: His arms and fingers long and sinewy] So the 8vo, except +that, by a misprint, it has "snowy" for "sinewy."--The 4to gives +the line thus,-- + + "His armes long, HIS fingers SNOWY-WHITE."!! + +(and so the line used to stand in Lamb's SPEC. OF DRAM. POETS, +till I made the necessary alteration in Mr. Moxon's recent ed. +of that selection.)] + +[Footnote 68: subdu'd] So the 8vo.--The 4to "subdue."] + +[Footnote 69: Nature doth strive with Fortune, &c.] Qy did Shakespeare +recollect this passage when he wrote,-- + + "Nature and Fortune join'd to make thee great"? + KING JOHN, act iii. sc. 1.] + +[Footnote 70: port] i.e. gate.] + +[Footnote 71: is] So the 8vo.--The 4to "in."] + +[Footnote 72: In fair, &c.] Here "fair" is to be considered as a +dissyllable: compare, in the Fourth Act of our author's +JEW OF MALTA, + + "I'll feast you, lodge you, give you FAIR words, + And, after that," &c.] + +[Footnote 73: of] i.e. on.] + +[Footnote 74: worse] So the 8vo.--The 4to "worst."] + +[Footnote 75: the] So the 8vo.--The 4to "that."] + +[Footnote 76: his] So the 8vo.--The 4to "the."] + +[Footnote 77: be] So the 8vo.--The 4to "are."] + +[Footnote 78: Beside] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Besides."] + +[Footnote 79: champion] i.e. champaign.] + +[Footnote 80: greedy after] Old eds. "after greedie."] + +[Footnote 81: Sprung] Here, and in the next speech, both the old eds. +"Sprong": but in p. 18, l. 3, first col., the 4to has "sprung", +and in the SEC. PART of the play, act iv. sc. 4, they both give +"SPRUNG from a tyrants loynes." + + [Page 18, First Column, Line 3, This Play: + "For he was never sprung[118: of human race,"] + +[Footnote 82: teeth of] So the 8vo.--Omitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 83: lance] Here both the old eds. "lanch": but see note ||, +p. 11.(i.e. note 47.)] + +[Footnote 84: the] So the 8vo.--0mitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 85: some] So the 4to.--The 8vo "scorne."] + +[Footnote 86: will] So the 8vo.--The 4to "shall."] + +[Footnote 87: top] i.e. rise above, surpass.--Old eds. "stop."] + +[Footnote 88: renowmed] See note ||, p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] So the 8vo. +--The 4to "renowned."] + +[Footnote 89: thirst] The 8vo "thrust": the 4to "thrist."] + +[Footnote 90: and] So the 4to.--The 8vo "not."] + +[Footnote 91: the fair] So the 8vo.--The 4to "THEE faire."] + +[Footnote 92: she] i.e. Nemesis.] + +[Footnote 93: Rhamnus'] Old eds. "Rhamnis."] + +[Footnote 94: meeds] So the 8vo.--The 4to "deeds."] + +[Footnote 95: into] Used here (as the word was formerly often used) for +UNTO.] + +[Footnote 96: sure] A dissyllable here. In the next line "assure" is a +trisyllable.] + +[Footnote 97: with his crown in his hand] The old eds. add "offering +to hide it;" but THAT he does presently after.] + +[Footnote 98: those were] i.e. those who were, who have been.] + +[Footnote 99: Stand staggering] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Stand THOSE +staggering."] + +[Footnote 100: For kings are clouts that every man shoots at, + + Our crown the pin, &c. + +CLOUT means the white mark in the butts; PIN, the peg in the +centre, which fastened it.] + +[Footnote 101: me] So the 4to.--Omitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 102: MYCETES. Ay, marry, &c.] From this to "TAMBURLAINE. Well, +I mean you shall have it again" inclusive, the dialogue is +prose: compare act iv. sc. 4, p. 29.] + +[Footnote 103: renowmed man-at-arms] See note ||, p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] +So the 8vo.--The 4to "RENOWNED MEN at armes."] + +[Footnote 104: chiefest] So the 4to.--The 8vo "chiefe."] + +[Footnote 105: happy] So the 8vo.--The 4to "happiest."] + +[Footnote 106: aim'd] So the 4to.--The 8vo "and."] + +[Footnote 107: it] So the 4to.--The 8vo "is."] + +[Footnote 108: our] So the 4to.--Omitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 109: we] So the 8vo.--The 4to "I."] + +[Footnote 110: in earth] i.e. on earth. So in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy +will +be done IN EARTH."] + +[Footnote 111: Casane] Both the old eds. here "Casanes."] + +[Footnote 112: a-piece] So the 4to.--The 8vo "apace."] + +[Footnote 113: purchase] i.e. booty, gain.] + +[Footnote 114: quite] i.e. requite.] + +[Footnote 115: this] So ([[deiktikos]]) the 8vo.--The 4to "the."] + +[Footnote 116: him] Old eds. "his."] + +[Footnote 117: and] So the 8vo.--The 4to "with."] + +[Footnote 118: sprung] See note ‡, p. 14.[i.e. note 81.]] + +[Footnote 119: dares] So the 8vo.--The 4to "dare."] + +[Footnote 120: fate] Old eds. "state."] + +[Footnote 121: Resolve] Seems to mean--dissolve (compare "our bodies turn +to elements," p. 12, sec. col.): but I suspect some corruption +here. + + Page 12, Second Column, This Play: + "TAMBURLAINE. . . . . + Until our bodies turn to elements, + And both our souls aspire celestial thrones.--" + etc.]] + +[Footnote 122: Barbarous] Qy. "O barbarous"? in the next line but one, +"O treacherous"? and in the last line of the speech, "O bloody"? +But we occasionally find in our early dramatists lines which are +defective in the first syllable; and in some of these instances +at least it would almost seem that nothing has been omitted by +the transcriber or printer.] + +[Footnote 123: artier] i.e. artery. This form occurs again in the SEC. +PART of the present play: so too in a copy of verses by Day;] + + "Hid in the vaines and ARTIERS of the earthe." + SHAKESPEARE SOC. PAPERS, vol. i. 19. + +The word indeed was variously written of old: + + "The ARTER strynge is the conduyt of the lyfe spiryte." + Hormanni VULGARIA, sig. G iii. ed. 1530. + + "Riche treasures serue for th'ARTERS of the war." + Lord Stirling's DARIUS, act ii. Sig. C 2. ed. 1604. + + "Onelye the extrauagant ARTIRE of my arme is brused." + EVERIE WOMAN IN HER HUMOR, 1609, sig. D 4. + + "And from the veines some bloud each ARTIRE draines." + Davies's MICROCOSMOS, 1611, p. 56.] + +[Footnote 124: regiment] i.e. rule.] + +[Footnote 125: fruit] So the 4to.--The 8vo "fruites."] + +[Footnote 126: are] Old eds. "Is."] + +[Footnote 127: talents] Was often used by our early writers for TALONS, +as many passages might be adduced to shew. Hence the quibble in +Shakespeare's LOVE'S LABOUR<K\OST, act iv. sc. 2., "If a TALENT +be a claw," &c.] + +[Footnote 128: harpy] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Harper;" and with that +reading the line is cited, in a note on MACBETH, act iv. sc. 1, +by Steevens, who also gives "tires UPON my life;" but "TIRES" +(a well-known term in falconry, and equivalent here to--preys) +is to be pronounced as a dissyllable. (In the 4to it in spelt +"tyers."] + +[Footnote 129: the] So the 4to.--The 8vo "thy."] + +[Footnote 130: bassoes] i.e. bashaws.] + +[Footnote 131: Christians renied] i.e. Christians who have denied, or +renounced their faith.--In THE GENT. MAGAZINE for Jan. 1841, +J. M. would read "Christians RENEGADENS" or "CHRISTIAN +RENEGADES:" + +but the old text is right; among many passages that might be +cited, compare the following; + + "And that Ydole is the God of false Cristene, that han + RENEYED hire FEYTHE." + THE VOIAGE AND TRAVAILE OF SIR JOHN MAUNDEVILE, + p. 209. ed. 1725. + + "For that thou should'st RENY THY FAITH, and her thereby + possesse. + The Soldan did capitulat in vaine: the more thy blesse." + Warner's ALBIONS ENGLAND, B. XI. Ch. 68. p. 287. ed. 1596.] + +[Footnote 132: Terrene] i.e. Mediterranean.] + +[Footnote 133: Renowmed] See note ||, p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] So the 8vo. +--The 4to "renowned."] + +[Footnote 134: basso] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Brother."] + +[Footnote 135: Not] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Nor."] + +[Footnote 136: in] So the 8vo.--The 4to "on."] + +[Footnote 137: Or spread, &c.] A word has dropt out from this line.] + +[Footnote 138: measur'd heaven] So the 8vo.--The 4to "measured THE +heauen."] + +[Footnote 139: pioners] The usual spelling of the word in our early +writers (in Shakespeare, for instance).] + +[Footnote 140: ceaseless] So the 8vo.--The 4to "carelesse."] + +[Footnote 141: conceits] i.e[.] fancies, imaginations.] + +[Footnote 142: counterfeit] i.e. picture, resemblance.] + +[Footnote 143: his] So the 8vo.--The 4to "the."] + +[Footnote 144: you] So the 8vo.--The 4to "me."] + +[Footnote 145: Leave] The author probably wrote, "AGYDAS, leave," &c.] + +[Footnote 146: facts] i.e. deeds.] + +[Footnote 147: much] So the 8vo.--The 4to "more."] + +[Footnote 148: Pierides] i.e. The daughters of Pierus, who, having +challenged the Muses to a trial of song, were overcome, and +changed into magpies.] + +[Footnote 149: the young Arabian] Scil. Alcidamus; see p. 10, l. 9, sec. +col. + + (Page 10, Second Column, Line 9, This Play: + "Where her betrothed lord, Alcidamus,")] + +[Footnote 150: Fearing his love] i.e. Fearing with respect to his love.] + +[Footnote 151: of] so the 4to.--The 8vo "and."] + +[Footnote 152: fury] So the 4to.--The 8vo "furies."] + +[Footnote 153: shone] Old eds. "shine."] + +[Footnote 154: send] Old eds. "sent."] + +[Footnote 155: menace] So the 8vo.--The 4to "meane."] + +[Footnote 156: fetch] So the 8vo.--The 4to "fetcht."] + +[Footnote 157: set] So the 8vo.--The 4to "seate."] + +[Footnote 158: Terrene] i.e. Mediterranean.] + +[Footnote 159: to rest or breathe] So the 8vo.--The 4to "to BREATH AND +REST."] + +[Footnote 160: bastones] i.e. bastinadoes.] + +[Footnote 161: they] So the 8vo.--0mitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 162: Morocco] Here the old eds. "Moroccus,"--a barbarism which +I have not retained, because previously, in the stage-direction +at the commencement of this act, p. 19, they agree in reading +"Morocco."] + +[Footnote 163: titles] So the 8vo.--The 4to "title."] + +[Footnote 164: sarell] i.e. seraglio.] + +[Footnote 165: I'll] So the 8vo.--The 4to "I will."] + +[Footnote 166: the] So the 8vo.--The 4to "this."] + +[Footnote 167: hugy] i.e. huge.] + +[Footnote 168: renowm'd] See note ||, p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] So the 8vo. +--The 4to "renowned."] + +[Footnote 169: of] So the 8vo.--The 4to "all."] + +[Footnote 170: rule] So the 8vo.--The 4to "raigne."] + +[Footnote 171: braver] So the 8vo.--The 4to "braue."] + +[Footnote 172: pash] i.e. crush to pieces by a stroke.] + +[Footnote 173: y-sprung] Here the old eds. "ySPRONG."--See note ‡, p. 14. + i.e. note 81.] + +[Footnote 174: them] Old eds. "thee."] + +[Footnote 175: the] Has perhaps crept in by a mistake of the transcriber +or printer.] + +[Footnote 176: And make your strokes to wound the senseless light] The +old eds. have, + + "And make OUR strokes to wound the sencelesse LURE." + +(the last word being, perhaps, in the 8vo "lute.") Here "light" +is a very questionable reading: qy. "air"? (though the third +line above ends with that word).)] + +[Footnote 177: boss] In the GENT. MAG. for Jan. 1841, J. M. proposed +to alter "boss" to "Bassa." But Cotgrave, in his DICT., has; +"A fat BOSSE. Femme bien grasse et grosse; une coche."] + +[Footnote 178: advocate] So the 4to.--The 8vo "aduocates."] + +[Footnote 179: That dare, &c.] Something dropt out from this line.] + +[Footnote 180: Re-enter Bajazeth, pursued by Tamburlaine] The old eds. +have, + + "Bajazeth flies, and he pursues him. The battell short + (Qto. is short), and they enter, Bajazeth is ouercome." + +This not very intelligible stage-direction means perhaps that, +after Bajazeth and Tamburlaine had entered, a short combat was +to take place between them.] + +[Footnote 181: foil] The old eds. "soil."] + +[Footnote 182: gat] So the 8vo.--The 4to "got."] + +[Footnote 183: pilling] i.e. plundering.] + +[Footnote 184: British] So the 4to.--The 8vo "brightest."] + +[Footnote 185: martial] So the 8vo.--The 4to "materiall."] + +[Footnote 186: Awake, ye men of Memphis!] These words are put into the +mouth of Judas, in Fletcher's BONDUCA, at the commencement of +act ii.; and in Fletcher's WIT WITHOUT MONEY, act v. sc. 2. we +find "thou man of Memphis."] + +[Footnote 187: basilisks] Pieces of ordnance so called. They were of +immense size; see Douce's ILLUST. OF SHAKESPEARE, i. 425.] + +[Footnote 188: monstrous] To be read as a trisyllable.] + +[Footnote 189: Or ever-drizzling] So the 4to.--The 8vo "Or drisling."] + +[Footnote 190: should] So the 4to.--The 8vo "shal."] + +[Footnote 191: he devil] So the 8vo.--The 4to "he THE deuill."] + +[Footnote 192: Arabian king] Scil. Alcidamus: see p. 10, l. 9, sec. col. + + (Page 10, Second Column, Line 9, This Play: + "Where her betrothed lord, Alcidamus,")] + +[Footnote 193: it] So the 4to.--Omitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 194: it should] So the 4to.--The 8vo "should it."] + +[Footnote 195: this] So the 8vo.--The 4to "it."] + +[Footnote 196: into] So the 4to.--The 8vo "vnto."] + +[Footnote 197: heart] So the 4to.--The 8vo "soul."] + +[Footnote 198: stoop] Qy. "stoop, STOOP"?] + +[Footnote 199: your] Old eds. "their."--Compare the tenth line of the +speech.] + +[Footnote 200: to] So the 8vo.--The 4to "on."] + +[Footnote 201: brent] i.e. burnt. So the 8vo.--The 4to "burnt."] + +[Footnote 202: kings] So the 8vo.--The 4to "king."] + +[Footnote 203: from] So the 4to.--The 8vo "in."] + +[Footnote 204: then, for you] So the 4to.--The 8vo "for you then."] + +[Footnote 205: stark nak'd] Compare (among many passages which might be +cited from our early poets),-- + + "rather on Nilus' mud + Lay me STARK NAK'D, and let the water-flies + Blow me into abhorring!" + Shakespeare's ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, act v. sc. 2. (where + the modern editors print "naked.")] + +[Footnote 206: dignities] So the 8vo.--The 4to "dignitie."] + +[Footnote 207: whiles] So the 8vo.--The 4to "while."] + +[Footnote 208: shalt] So the 4to.--The 8vo "shal."] + +[Footnote 209: grace] Olds eds. "grac'd."] + +[Footnote 210: stature] So the 8vo.--The 4to "statue:" but again, in the +SECOND PART of this play, act ii. sc. 4, we have, according to +the 8vo-- + + "And here will I set up her STATURE." + +and, among many passages that might be cited from our early +authors, compare the following; + + "The STATURES huge, of Porphyrie and costlier matters made." + Warner's ALBIONS ENGLAND, p. 303. ed. 1596. + + "By them shal Isis STATURE gently stand." + Chapman's BLIND BEGGER OF ALEXANDRIA, 1598, sig. A 3. + + "Was not Anubis with his long nose of gold preferred before + Neptune, whose STATURE was but brasse?" + Lyly's MIDAS, sig. A 2. ed. 1592.] + +[Footnote 211: bird] i.e. the ibis.] + +[Footnote 212: are] Old eds. "is."] + +[Footnote 213: country] Old eds. "countries."] + +[Footnote 214: King of Arabia] i.e. Alcidamus; see p. 10, l. 9, sec. col. + + (Page 10, Second Column, Line 9, This Play: + "Where her betrothed lord, Alcidamus,")] + +[Footnote 215: Calydonian] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Calcedonian."] + +[Footnote 216: lusty] So the 8vo.--Omitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 217: and] So the 4to.--0mitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 218: Renowmed] See note ||. p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] So the 8vo. +--The 4to "Renow[ned."]] + +[Footnote 219: Ibis' holy name] The ibis has been already alluded to in +the lines (p. 27, sec. col.),-- + + "The golden stature of their feather'd bird, + That spreads her wings upon the city-walls"; + +and it is well known to have been a sacred bird among the +Egyptians (see Cicero DE NAT. DEORUM, I. 36). Compare the old +play of THE TAMING OF A SHREW; + + "Father, I SWEARE BY IBIS' GOLDEN BEAKE, + More faire and radiente is my bonie Kate + Then siluer Zanthus," &c. + p. 22. ed. Shakespeare Soc. + +In the passage of our text the modern editors substitute "Isis'" +for "Ibis'."] + +[Footnote 220: the] So the 8vo.--The 4to "and."] + +[Footnote 221: and] So the 8vo.--Omitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 222: thy baseness and] So the 8vo.--The 4to "THE basnesse OF."] + +[Footnote 223: mask] So the 8vo.--The 4to "walke."] + +[Footnote 224: My lord, &c.] Something has dropt out: qy. "TAMELY +suffer"?] + +[Footnote 225: a goodly refreshing for them] So the 8vo.--The 4to "a GOOD +refreshing TO them."] + +[Footnote 226: Here] So the 8vo.--The 4to "there."] + +[Footnote 227: it from] So the 8vo.--The 4to "it VP from."] + +[Footnote 228: slice] So the 8vo.--The 4to "fleece."] + +[Footnote 229: will fall] So the 8vo.--The 4to "will NOT fall."] + +[Footnote 230: let] i.e. hinder.] + +[Footnote 231: while] i.e. until.] + +[Footnote 232: consort] i.e. band.] + +[Footnote 233: pen] i.e. his sword.] + +[Footnote 234: hastening] So the 4to.--The 8vo "hasting."] + +[Footnote 235: 'specially] So the 8vo.--The 4to "especially."] + +[Footnote 236: Morocco] Here and in the next speech the old eds. have +"Morocus" and "Moroccus:" but see note ‡, p. 22.(i.e. note 162.)] + +[Footnote 237: plage] i.e. region.--Old eds. "place."] + +[Footnote 238: valour] Old eds. "value."] + +[Footnote 239: again] So the 8vo.--Omitted in the 4to.] + +[Footnote 240: renowm'd] See note ||. p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] So the 8vo. +--The 4to "renown'd."] + +[Footnote 241: Damascus] Both the old eds. here "Damasco:" but in many +other places they agree in reading "Damascus."] + +[Footnote 242: remorse] i.e. pity.] + +[Footnote 243: sakes] So the 8vo.--The 4to. "sake."] + +[Footnote 244: blubber'd] That this word formerly conveyed no ludicrous +idea, appears from many passages of our early writers.] + +[Footnote 245: And use us like a loving conqueror] "i.e. And that he will +use us like, &c." Ed. 1826.] + +[Footnote 246: care] So the 4to.--The 8vo "cares."] + +[Footnote 247: helps] So the 8vo.--The 4to "help."] + +[Footnote 248: or] So the 8vo.--The 4to "for."] + +[Footnote 249: power] So the 8vo.--The 4to "powers."] + +[Footnote 250: knew] So the 8vo.--The 4to "know."] + +[Footnote 251: Reflexed] Old eds. "Reflexing."] + +[Footnote 252: their] Old eds. "your."] + +[Footnote 253: As] So the 8vo.--The 4to "And."] + +[Footnote 254: tents] So the 8vo.--The 4to "tent."] + +[Footnote 255: submission] Old eds. "submissions."] + +[Footnote 256: of ruth and] So the 8vo.--The 4to "AND ruth OF."] + +[Footnote 257: conceit] i.e. fancy, imagination.] + +[Footnote 258: Hath] So the 4to.--The 8vo "Haue."] + +[Footnote 259: nourish'd] So the 8vo.--The 4to "nourish."] + +[Footnote 260: wish'd] So the 8vo.--The 4to "wish."] + +[Footnote 261: imperious] So the 8vo.--The 4to "imprecious."] + +[Footnote 262: passion] i.e. sorrow.] + +[Footnote 263: resolved] i.e. dissolved.] + +[Footnote 264: Eyes, when that Ebena steps to heaven, &c.] Either the +transcriber or the printer has made sad work with this +passage; nor am I able to suggest any probable emendation.] + +[Footnote 265: fight] So the 8vo.--The 4to "fights."] + +[Footnote 266: Persia's] Old eds. "Perseans," and "Persians."] + +[Footnote 267: still] i.e. distil.] + +[Footnote 268: I thus conceiving, and subduing both, +That which hath stoop'd the chiefest of the gods, +Even from the fiery-spangled veil of heaven, +To feel the lovely warmth of shepherds' flames, +And mask in cottages of strowed reeds, &c. + +i.e. I thus feeling, and also subduing, the power of Beauty, +which has drawn down the chiefest of the gods even from, &c. + +The 8vo has, + "I thus conceiuing and subduing both. + That which hath STOPT the TEMPEST of the Gods, + Euen from the fiery spangled vaile of heauen, + To feele the louely warmth of shepheards flames, + And MARTCH in cottages of strowed WEEDS," &c. + +The 4to has, + "I thus concieuing and subduing both, + That which hath STOPT the TEMPEST of the Gods, + Euen from the SPANGLED FIRIE vaile of heauen, + To feele the louely warmth of Shepheardes flames, + And MARCH in COATCHES of strowed WEEDES," &c. + +The alterations which I have made in this corrupted passage are +supported by the following lines of the play; + + "See now, ye slaves, my children STOOP YOUR PRIDE (i.e. make + your pride to stoop), + And lead your bodies sheep-like to the sword." + Part Second,--act iv. sc. 1. + + "The chiefest god, FIRST MOVER OF THAT SPHERE", &c. + Part First,--act iv. sc. 2. + + "Jove SOMETIME masked IN A SHEPHERD'S WEED", &c. + Part First,--act i. sc. 2. + +Perhaps in the third line of the present passage "fiery-spangled" +should be "FIRE-YSPANGLED."] + +[Footnote 269: Attend.] Old eds. "An." (a misprint probably), which the +modern editors understand as "Anippe" (the waiting-maid of +Zenocrate).] + +[Footnote 270: March on us with] So the 4to.--The 8vo "MARTCHT on WITH +vs with."] + +[Footnote 271: As if there were no way but one with us] i.e. as if we +were to lose our lives. This phrase, which is common in our +early writers, was not obsolete in Dryden's time: "for, if he +heard the malicious trumpeter proclaiming his name before his +betters, he knew THERE WAS BUT ONE WAY WITH HIM." Preface to +ALL FOR LOVE.] + +[Footnote 272: pore] So the 8vo.--The 4to "dore."] + +[Footnote 273: in] i.e. on.] + +[Footnote 274: stay] Old eds. "aie" and "aye."] + +[Footnote 275: retorqued] i.e. bent back in reflections on our former +happiness. So the 8vo.--The 4to "retortued."] + +[Footnote 276: A] Old eds. "As."] + +[Footnote 277: Elysium] Old eds. "Elisian."] + +[Footnote 278: thoughts] So the 8vo.--The 4to "thought."] + +[Footnote 279: parbreak] i.e. vomit.] + +[Footnote 280: abjection] Old eds. "obiection."] + +[Footnote 281: villainess] i.e. servant, slave,] + +[Footnote 282: ruth] So the 8vo.--The 4to "truth."] + +[Footnote 283: resolve] i.e. dissolve.] + +[Footnote 284: bann'd] i.e. cursed.] + +[Footnote 285: the] So the 4to.--The 8vo "thy."] + +[Footnote 286: ever-living] So the 8vo.--The 4to. "euerlasting."] + +[Footnote 287: give] So the 4to.--The 8vo "AND giue."] + +[Footnote 288: her] Must mean Zenocrate, whom Zabina fancies herself to +be addressing.] + +[Footnote 289: Let the soldiers be buried.--Hell, death, Tamburlaine] +So the 8vo.--Omitted in the 4to. (Where the modern editors got +their reading, "Let the soldiers be CURSED," I know not.)] + +[Footnote 290: Make ready my coach] Shakespeare seems to have remembered +this passage when he made Ophelia say, "Come, my coach," &c. +HAMLET, act iv. sc. 5.] + +[Footnote 291: I come, I come, I come] So the 8vo.--The 4to "I come, I +come."] + +[Footnote 292: Egyptians'] So the 4to.--The 8vo "Egiptian.'] + +[Footnote 293: The] Old eds. "Thy."] + +[Footnote 294: thy] So the 8vo.--The 4to "thine."] + +[Footnote 295: war] So the 8vo.--The 4to "warres."] + +[Footnote 296: Come] Old eds. "Comes" and "Comep."] + +[Footnote 297: Armed] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Armes."] + +[Footnote 298: final] So the 4to.--The 8vo "small."] + +[Footnote 299: King of Arabia] i.e. Alcidamus; see p. 10, l. 9, sec. col.] + + [Page 10, Second Column, Line 9, This Play: + "Where her betrothed lord, Alcidamus,"] + +[Footnote 300: thy] So the 4to.--The 8vo "my."] + +[Footnote 301: conceit] i.e. fancy, imagination.] + +[Footnote 302: have] So the 8vo.--The 4to "hath."] + +[Footnote 303: Euphrates] So our old poets invariably, I believe, +accentuate this word. [Note: 'Euphrates' was printed with no +accented characters at all.] + +[Footnote 304: should] So the 8vo.--The 4to "shall."] + +[Footnote 305: sweat] So the 8vo.--The 4to "sweare."] + +[Footnote 306: wide-gaping] Old eds. "wide GASPING."] + +[Footnote 307: resolv'd] i.e. dissolved.] + +[Footnote 308: Millions] So the 8vo.--The 4to "Million."] + +[Footnote 309: Elysium] Old eds. "Elisian."] + +[Footnote 310: Renowmed] See note ||, p. 11.[i.e. note 52.] So the 8vo. +--The 4to "Renowned."] + +[Footnote 311: record] i.e. take to witness.] + +[Footnote 312: no further time] i.e. no more distant time.] + +[Footnote 313: the] So the 8vo.--The 4to "my."] + +[Footnote 314: I not] So the 8vo.--The 4to "not I."] + +[Footnote 315: Else] So the 4to.--The 8vo "Then."] + +[Footnote 316: on] So the 4to.--Omitted in the 8vo.] + +[Footnote 317: as beseems] So the 4to.--The 8vo "as BEST beseemes."] + +[Footnote 318: We will our rites, &c.] Old eds. "We will our CELEBRATED +rites," &c.--"The word 'CELEBRATED' occurs in both the old +editions, but may well be dispensed with as regards both the +sense and measure." Ed. 1826. "I think this word got into the +text from either the author or printer, who was perhaps the +editor, doubting whether to use 'SOLEMNIZE' or 'CELEBRATE;' +and it slipt from the margin, where it was probably placed, +into the verse itself." J. M. in GENT. MAG. for Jan. 1841.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tamburlaine the Great, Part I., by +Christopher Marlowe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT, PART I. *** + +***** This file should be named 1094.txt or 1094.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/9/1094/ + +Produced by Gary R. Young + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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