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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 to scorn； And that which might resolve me into tears；
Men from the farthest equinoctial line Have swarm'd in troops into the
Eastern India； Lading their ships 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 into Graecia； as did Cyrus once； And cause them to withdraw
their forces home； Lest you subdue the pride of Christendom！
＇Trumpet within。＇
COSROE。 But； Menaphon； what means this trumpet's sound？
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
MENAPHON。 Behold； my lord； Ortygius and the rest Bringing the
crown to make you emperor！
Re…enter ORTYGIUS and CENEUS； with others； bearing a
crown。
ORTYGIUS。 Magnificent and mighty prince Cosroe； We； in the name
of other Persian states 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 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； 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 Caspian Lake。
ALL。 Long live Cosroe； mighty emperor！
COSROE。 And Jove may 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； my lord； before we brought the crown；
Intending your investion so near The residence of your despised brother；
The lords would not be too exasperate To injury or suppress
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
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。 God save the king！ ＇Exeunt。＇
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
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 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
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；
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madam； whatsoever you esteem Of this success； and loss unvalued；
Both may invest you empress of the East； And these that seem but silly
country swains May have the leading of so great an