THERIDAMAS. And, since your highness hath so well vouchsaf'd, If we deserve them not with higher meeds Than erst our states and actions have retain'd, Take them away again, [239] and make us slaves. TAMBURLAINE. Well said, Theridamas: when holy Fates Shall stablish me in strong Aegyptia, We mean to travel to th' antarctic pole, Conquering the people underneath our feet, And be renowm'd [240] as never emperors were.-- Zenocrate, I will not crown thee yet, Until with greater honours I be grac'd. [Exeunt.] ACT V. SCENE I. Enter the GOVERNOR OF DAMASCUS [241] with three or four CITIZENS, and four VIRGINS with branches of laurel in their hands. GOVERNOR. Still doth this man, or rather god of war, Batter our walls and beat our turrets down; And to resist with longer stubbornness, Or hope of rescue from the Soldan's power, Were but to bring our wilful overthrow, And make us desperate of our threaten'd lives. We see his tents have now been altered With terrors to the last and cruel'st hue; His coal-black colours, every where advanc'd, Threaten our city with a general spoil; And, if we should with common rites of arms Offer our safeties to his clemency, I fear the custom proper to his sword, Which he observes as parcel of his fame, Intending so to terrify the world, By any innovation or remorse [242] Will never be dispens'd with till our deaths. Therefore, for these our harmless virgins' sakes, [243] Whose honours and whose lives rely on him, Let us have hope that their unspotted prayers, Their blubber'd [244] cheeks, and hearty humble moans, Will melt his fury into some remorse, And use us like a loving conqueror. [245] FIRST VIRGIN. If humble suite or imprecations (Utter'd with tears of wretchedness and blood Shed from the heads and hearts of all our sex, Some made your wives, and some your children,) Might have entreated your obdurate breasts To entertain some care [246] of our securities Whiles only danger beat upon our walls, These more than dangerous warrants of our death Had never been erected as they be, Nor you depend on such weak helps [247] as we.