Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1

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.]