SPY. An hundred horsemen of my company, Scouting abroad upon these champion [79] plains, Have view'd the army of the Scythians; Which make report it far exceeds the king's. MEANDER. Suppose they be in number infinite, Yet being void of martial discipline, All running headlong, greedy after [80] spoils, And more regarding gain than victory, Like to the cruel brothers of the earth, Sprung [81] of the teeth of [82] dragons venomous, Their careless swords shall lance [83] their fellows' throats, And make us triumph in their overthrow. MYCETES. Was there such brethren, sweet Meander, say, That sprung of teeth of dragons venomous? MEANDER. So poets say, my lord. MYCETES. And 'tis a pretty toy to be a poet. Well, well, Meander, thou art deeply read; And having thee, I have a jewel sure. Go on, my lord, and give your charge, I say; Thy wit will make us conquerors to-day. MEANDER. Then, noble soldiers, to entrap these thieves That live confounded in disorder'd troops, If wealth or riches may prevail with them, We have our camels laden all with gold, Which you that be but common soldiers Shall fling in every corner of the field; And, while the base-born Tartars take it up, You, fighting more for honour than for gold, Shall massacre those greedy-minded slaves; And, when their scatter'd army is subdu'd, And you march on their slaughter'd carcasses, Share equally the gold that bought their lives, And live like gentlemen in Persia. Strike up the [84] drum, and march courageously: Fortune herself doth sit upon our crests. MYCETES. He tells you true, my masters; so he does.-- Drums, why sound ye not when Meander speaks? [Exeunt, drums sounding.] SCENE III. Enter COSROE, TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, and ORTYGIUS, with others. COSROE. Now, worthy Tamburlaine, have I repos'd In thy approved fortunes all my hope. What think'st thou, man, shall come of our attempts? For, even as from assured oracle, I take thy doom for satisfaction.