Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1

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.]