How those, who're hit by pelting cannon shot,
Stand stagg'ring like a quiv'ring aspin leaf
Fearing the force of Boreas boist'rous blasts.
In what a lamentable case were I

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

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

So shall I not be known; or if I be,

They can not take away my crown from me.
Here will I hide it in this simple hole.

Enter TAMBURLAINE.

TAME. What fearful coward's straggling from the

camp,

When kings themselves are present in the field?
Myc. Thou liest.

TAMB. Base villain, dar'st thou give the lie?

Myc. Away; I am the king; go; touch me not. Thou break'st the law of arms, unless thou kneel And cry me mercy, noble king.

TAMB. Are you the witty king of Persia?

Myc. Aye, marry am I: have you any suit to me?

TAMB. I would entreat you but to speak three

wise words.

Myc. So I can when I see my time.

TAMB. Is this your crown?

Myc. Aye, didst thou ever see a fairer ?

TAMB. You will not sell it, will you?

Myc. Such another word and I will have thee

executed.

Come, give it me!

TAMB. No; I took it prisoner.

Myc. You lie; I gave it you.

TAMB. Then 'tis mine.

Myc. No; I mean I let you keep it.

TAMB. Well; I mean you shall have it again.
Here; take it for awhile: 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 Tamb.

MYC. O gods! Is this Tamburlaine the thief? I marvel much he stole it not away.

[Trumpets sound to the battle: Mycetes runs out. Enter COSROE, TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, MENAPHON, MEANDER, ORTYGIUS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, with others.

TAMB. Hold thee, Cosroe! wear two imperial

crowns;

Think thee invested now as royally,

Even by the mighty hand of Tamburlaine,
As if as many kings as could encompass thee
With greatest pomp, had crown'd thee emperor.

Cos. So do I, thrice-renowned man at arms,
And none shall keep the crown but Tamburlaine.
Thee do I make my regent of Persia,
And general lieutenant of my armies.

Meander, you, that were our brother's guide,
And chiefest counsellor in all his acts,
Since he is yielded to the stroke of war,
On your submission we with thanks excuse,
And give you equal place in our affairs.

MEAND. Most happy emperor, in humblest terms, I vow my service to your majesty,

With utmost virtue of my faith and duty.

Cos. Thanks, good Meander: then Cosroe reign, And govern Persia in her former pomp!

Now send embassage to thy neighbour kings,
And let them know the Persian king is 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.

ORTY. And as we ever aim'd at your behoof,
And sought your state all honour it deserv'd,
So will we with our powers and our lives
Endeavour to preserve and prosper it.

Cos. 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 I 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,)
Farewel, lord regent and his happy friends!
I long to sit upon my brother's throne.

MEAND. Your majesty shall shortly have your wish,
And ride in triumph through Persepolis,

[All go out but Tamb. Tech. Ther. and Usum.
TAMB. 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 ?
TECH. O, my lord, 'tis sweet and full of pomp.
USUM. To be a king is half to be a god.
THER. A god is not so glorious as a king.
I think the pleasure they enjoy in heaven,
Cannot compare with kingly joys in 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!

TAMB. Why say, Theridamas, wilt thou be a king?
THER. Nay, though I praise it, I can live without it. X
TAMB. What say my other friends, will you be

kings?

TECH. If I could, with all my heart, my lord.
TAMB. Why, that's well said, Techelles;

would I,

And so would you, my masters, would you not?
USUM. What then, my lord?

80

TAMB. Why then, Casane, shall we wish for ought

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 wond'rous ease.

And would not all our soldiers soon consent,

If we should aim at such a dignity?

THER. I know they would with our persuasions.
TAMB. Why then, Theridamas, I'll first essay
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.

TECH. Then shall we send to this triumphing king, And bid him battle for his novel crown.

USUM. Nay, quickly then, before his room be hot. TAMB. "Twill prove a pretty jest, in faith, my friends.

THER. A jest to charge on twenty thousand men ! I judge the purchase more important far.

TAMB. Judge by thyself, Theridamas, not me; For presently Techelles here shall haste