COSROE

Unhappy Persea, that in former age Hast be the seat of mighty Conquerors, That in their prowess and their policies, Have triumphed over Africa, and the bounds Of Europe, where the Sun dares scarce appear, For freezing meteors and coniealed cold: Now to be ruled and governed by a man, At whose birthday Cynthia with Saturn joined, And Jove, the Sun and Mercury denied To shed his influence in his fickle brain, Now Turks and Tartars shake their swords at that Meaning to mangle all thy Provinces, Nay, pray you let him stay, a greater Fits Menaphon, than warring with a Thief: Create him Prorex of Africa, That he may win the Babylonians hearts, Which will revolt from Persean government, Unless they have a wiser king than you. And and this to them, that all Asia Lament to see the folly of their King. You may do well to kiss it then. Ah Menaphon, I pass not for his threats, The plot is laid by Persean Noble men, And Captains of the Medean garrisons, To crown me Emperor of Asia, But this it is that does excruciate The very substance of my vexed soul! To see our neighbours that were wont to quake And tremble at the Persean Monarchs name, Now sits and laughs our regiment to scorn, And that which might resolve me into tears: Men from the farthest Equinoctial line, Have swarmed in troops into the Eastern India: Lading their ships with gold and precious stones: And made their spoils from all our provinces. But Menaph. what means this trumpets found And such shall wait on worthy Tamburlaine. Our army will be forty thousand strong, When Tamburlain and brave Theridamas Have met us by the river Araris: And all conjoined to meet the witless King. That now is marching near to Parthia. And with unwilling soldiers faintly armed, To seek revenge on me and Tamburlaine. To whom sweet Menaphon, direct me straight. Which I esteem as portion of my crown. Vsumeasane and techelles both, When she that rules in Rhamnis golden gates, And makes a passage for all prosperous Arms: Shall make me solely Emperor of Asia, Then shall your meeds and valours be advanced To rooms of honour and Nobility. Come tamburlain, now whet thy winged sword And lift thy lofty arm into the clouds, That it may reach the King of Perseas crown, And set it safe on my victorious head. Thy words assure me of kind success: Go valiant Soldier, go before and charge The fainting army of that foolish King. I will not thank thee (sweet Ortigius ) 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 we 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 scattered troops) Farewell Lord Regent, and his happy friends, I long to fit upon my brother's throne, 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 pressed out fire from their burning jaws: So will I send this monstrous slave to hell, Where flames shall ever feed upon his soul. Nobly resolved, my good Ortygius. And since we all have sucked one wholesome air, And with the same proportion of Elements, Resolve, 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 quence 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 Persea. Barbarous and bloody Tamburlaine, Thus to deprive me of my crown and life. Treacherous and false theridamas, Even at the morning of my happy state, Scarce being seated in my royal throne, To work my downfall and untimely end. And uncouth pain torments my grieved soul, And death arrests the organ of my voice. Who entering at the breach thy sword hath made, Sacks every vain and artier of my heart, Bloody and insatiate Tamburlain. The strangest men that ever nature made, I know not how to take their tyrannies. My bloodless body waxes chill and cold, And with my blood my life slides through my wound. My soul begins to take her flight to hell. And summons all my senses to depart: The heat and moisture which did feed each other, For want of nourishment to feed them both. Is dry and cold, and now doth ghastly death With greedy talents gripe my bleeding heart, And Like a Harpyr tires on my life. Theridamas and Tamburlaine, I die, And fearful vengeance light upon you both. It cannot choose, because it comes from you. Well, since I see the state of Persea droop, And languish in my brother's government: I willingly receive th'mperiall crown, And vow to wear it for my countries good: In spite of them shall malice my estate. And Jove may never let me longer live, Then 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. I know it well my Lord, & thank you all, So do I thrice renowned man at arms, And none shall keep the crown but tamburlaine: Thee do I make my Regent of Persea, And General Lieutenant of my Armies. Meander, you that were our brother's Guide, And chiefest Counselor 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. Thanks good Meander, then Cosroe reign And govern Persea in her former pomp: Now send Ambassage to thy neighbour Kings, And let them know the Persean King is changed: 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 Meanders course, And gladly yield them to my gracious rule: Ortigius and menaphon, my trusty friends, Now will I gratify your former good, And grace your calling with a greater sway. Well hast thou pourtraid in thy terms of life, The face and personage of a wondrous man: Nature does strive with Fortune and his stars, To make him famous in accomplished Worth: And well his merits show him to be made: His Fortune's m ister, and the king of men. That could persuade at such a sudden pinch, With reasons of his valour and his life, A thousand sworn and overmatching foes: Then when our powers in points of swords are joined And closed in compass of the killing bullet, Though straight the passage and the port be made, That leads to Palace of my brother's life, Proud is his fortune if we pierce it not. And when the princely Persean Diadem, Shall overway his weary witless head, And fallen Like mellowed fruit, with shakes of death, In fair Persea noble tamburlaine Shall be my Regent, and remain as King: THus far are we towards Theridamas, And valiant Tamburlaine, the man of fame, The man that in the forehead of his fortune, Bears figures of renown and miracle: But tell me, that hast seen him, Menaphon, What stature wields he, and what personage: Now worthy Tamburlaine, have I reposed, In thy approved Fortune's all my hope, What thinkest thou man, shall come of our at tempts. For even as from assured oracle, I take thy doom for satisfaction.