Both we will reign as consuls of the earth, And mighty kings shall be our senators. Jove sometime masked in a shepherd's weed; And by those steps that he hath scal'd the heavens May we become immortal like the gods. Join with me now in this my mean estate, (I call it mean, because, being yet obscure, The nations far-remov'd admire me not,) And when my name and honour shall be spread As far as Boreas claps his brazen wings, Or fair Bootes [57] sends his cheerful light, Then shalt thou be competitor [58] with me, And sit with Tamburlaine in all his majesty. THERIDAMAS. Not Hermes, prolocutor to the gods, Could use persuasions more pathetical. TAMBURLAINE. Nor are Apollo's oracles more true Than thou shalt find my vaunts substantial. TECHELLES. We are his friends; and, if the Persian king Should offer present dukedoms to our state, We think it loss to make exchange for that We are assur'd of by our friend's success. USUMCASANE. And kingdoms at the least we all expect, Besides the honour in assured conquests, Where kings shall crouch unto our conquering swords, And hosts of soldiers stand amaz'd at us, When with their fearful tongues they shall confess, These are the men that all the world admires. THERIDAMAS. What strong enchantments tice my yielding soul To these [59] resolved, noble Scythians! But shall I prove a traitor to my king? TAMBURLAINE. No; but the trusty friend of Tamburlaine. THERIDAMAS. Won with thy words, and conquer'd with thy looks, I yield myself, my men, and horse to thee, To be partaker of thy good or ill, As long as life maintains Theridamas. TAMBURLAINE. Theridamas, my friend, take here my hand, Which is as much as if I swore by heaven, And call'd the gods to witness of my vow. Thus shall my heart be still combin'd with thine Until our bodies turn to elements, And both our souls aspire celestial thrones.-- Techelles and Casane, welcome him. TECHELLES. Welcome, renowmed [60] Persian, to us all! USUMCASANE. Long may Theridamas remain with us! TAMBURLAINE. These are my friends, in whom I more rejoice Than doth the king of Persia in his crown; And, by the love of Pylades and Orestes, Whose statues [61] we adore in Scythia, Thyself and them shall never part from me Before I crown you kings [62] in Asia. Make much of them, gentle Theridamas, And they will never leave thee till the death. THERIDAMAS. Nor thee nor them, [63] thrice-noble Tamburlaine, Shall want my heart to be with gladness pierc'd, To do you honour and security.