Tamburlaine the Great — Part 2Marlowe, Christopher
History
Tamburlaine the Great — Part 2
Marlowe, Christopher
English drama; Historical drama; Timur, 1336-1405 -- Drama; Tragedies (Drama)
TAMBURLAINE. Well, then, my friendly lords, what now remains,
But that we leave sufficient garrison,
And presently depart to Persia,
To triumph after all our victories?
THERIDAMAS. Ay, good my lord, let us in [290] haste to Persia;
And let this captain be remov'd the walls
To some high hill about the city here.
TAMBURLAINE. Let it be so;--about it, soldiers;--
But stay; I feel myself distemper'd suddenly.
TECHELLES. What is it dares distemper Tamburlaine?
TAMBURLAINE. Something, Techelles; but I know not what.--
But, forth, ye vassals! [291] whatsoe'er [292] it be,
Sickness or death can never conquer me.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE II.
Enter CALLAPINE, KING OF AMASIA, a CAPTAIN, and train,
with drums and trumpets.
CALLAPINE. King of Amasia, now our mighty host
Marcheth in Asia Major, where the streams
Of Euphrates [293] and Tigris swiftly run;
And here may we [294] behold great Babylon,
Circled about with Limnasphaltis' lake,
Where Tamburlaine with all his army lies,
Which being faint and weary with the siege,
We may lie ready to encounter him
Before his host be full from Babylon,
And so revenge our latest grievous loss,
If God or Mahomet send any aid.
KING OF AMASIA. Doubt not, my lord, but we shall conquer him:
The monster that hath drunk a sea of blood,
And yet gapes still for more to quench his thirst,
Our Turkish swords shall headlong send to hell;
And that vile carcass, drawn by warlike kings,
The fowls shall eat; for never sepulchre
Shall grace this [295] base-born tyrant Tamburlaine.
CALLAPINE. When I record [296] my parents' slavish life,
Their cruel death, mine own captivity,
My viceroys' bondage under Tamburlaine,
Methinks I could sustain a thousand deaths,
To be reveng'd of all his villany.--
Ah, sacred Mahomet, thou that hast seen
Millions of Turks perish by Tamburlaine,
Kingdoms made waste, brave cities sack'd and burnt,
And but one host is left to honour thee,
Aid [297] thy obedient servant Callapine,
And make him, after all these overthrows,
To triumph over cursed Tamburlaine!
KING OF AMASIA. Fear not, my lord: I see great Mahomet,
Clothed in purple clouds, and on his head
A chaplet brighter than Apollo's crown,
Marching about the air with armed men,
To join with you against this Tamburlaine.
CAPTAIN. Renowmed [298] general, mighty Callapine,
Though God himself and holy Mahomet
Should come in person to resist your power,
Yet might your mighty host encounter all,
And pull proud Tamburlaine upon his knees
To sue for mercy at your highness' feet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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