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.

[All go out but Cosroe and Menaphon. MEN. How now, my Lord? What, mated* and amaz'd

To hear the king thus threaten like himself!

Cos. Ah, Menaphon, I pass not† 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 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.
MEN. This should entreat your highness to rejoice,
Since Fortune gives you opportunity

Afric and Europe bord'ring on your land,
And continent to your dominions,

How eas❜ly may you, with a mighty host,
Pass into Grecia, as did Cyrus once!

And cause them to withdraw their forces home,
Lest you subdue the pride of Christendom.

Cos. But, Menaphon, what means this trumpet's sound?

MEN. Behold, my lord, Ortygius and the rest Bringing the crown to make you emperor!

Enter ORTYGIUS and CENEUS, with others, bearing a Crown.

ORTY. Magnificent and mighty Prince Cosroe, We, in the name of other Persian states And Commons of the mighty monarchy, Present thee with th' imperial diadem.

CEN. 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 stop 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.

Cos. 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.

ORTY. And in assurance of desir'd success, We here do crown thee monarch of the East, Emperor of Asia and of Persia ;

To injure 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.

Cos. I know it well, my lord, and thank
ORTY. Sound up the trumpets then-
God save the king!

SCENE II.

you

all.

[Exeunt omnes.

Enter TAMBURLAINE, leading ZENOCRATE, followed by TECHELLES, USU MCASANE, AGYDAS, MAGNETES, Lords, and Soldiers, loaded with Treasure.

TAMB.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 Egyptia.

ZENO. 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 past the army of the mighty Turk,
Bearing his privy signet and his hand

To safe conduct us thorough Africa.

MAG. And since we have arrived in Scythia,

Besides rich presents from the puissant Cham,
We have his highness' letters to command
Aid and assistance, if we stand in need.

TAMB. 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 eas❜ly 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?
ZENO. I am, my lord-for so you do import.
TAMB. 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,

Both

may invest you empress of the East;