Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1Marlowe, Christopher
General
Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1
Marlowe, Christopher
English drama; Historical drama; Timur, 1336-1405 -- Drama; Tragedies (Drama)
MEANDER. Some powers divine, or else infernal, mix'd
Their angry seeds at his conception;
For he was never sprung [118] of human race,
Since with the spirit of his fearful pride,
He dares [119] so doubtlessly resolve of rule,
And by profession be ambitious.
ORTYGIUS. What god, or fiend, or spirit of the earth,
Or monster turned to a manly shape,
Or of what mould or mettle he be made,
What star or fate [120] soever govern him,
Let us put on our meet encountering minds;
And, in detesting such a devilish thief,
In love of honour and defence of right,
Be arm'd against the hate of such a foe,
Whether from earth, or hell, or heaven he grow.
COSROE. Nobly resolv'd, my good Ortygius;
And, since we all have suck'd one wholesome air,
And with the same proportion of elements
Resolve, [121] 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 quench 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 Persia!
[Exeunt, drums sounding.]
SCENE VII.
Alarms of battle within. Then enter COSROE wounded,
TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE, with others.
COSROE. Barbarous [122] 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!
An 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 vein and artier [123] of my heart.--
Bloody and insatiate Tamburlaine!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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