ZENOCRATE. My gracious lord, they have their mother's looks, But, when they list, their conquering father's heart. This lovely boy, the youngest of the three, Not long ago bestrid a Scythian steed, Trotting the ring, and tilting at a glove, Which when he tainted [37] with his slender rod, He rein'd him straight, and made him so curvet As I cried out for fear he should have faln. TAMBURLAINE. Well done, my boy! thou shalt have shield and lance, Armour of proof, horse, helm, and curtle-axe, And I will teach thee how to charge thy foe, And harmless run among the deadly pikes. If thou wilt love the wars and follow me, Thou shalt be made a king and reign with me, Keeping in iron cages emperors. If thou exceed thy elder brothers' worth, And shine in complete virtue more than they, Thou shalt be king before them, and thy seed Shall issue crowned from their mother's womb. CELEBINUS. Yes, father; you shall see me, if I live, Have under me as many kings as you, And march with such a multitude of men As all the world shall [38] tremble at their view. TAMBURLAINE. These words assure me, boy, thou art my son. When I am old and cannot manage arms, Be thou the scourge and terror of the world. AMYRAS. Why may not I, my lord, as well as he, Be term'd the scourge and terror of [39] the world? TAMBURLAINE. Be all a scourge and terror to [40] the world, Or else you are not sons of Tamburlaine. CALYPHAS. But, while my brothers follow arms, my lord, Let me accompany my gracious mother: They are enough to conquer all the world, And you have won enough for me to keep. TAMBURLAINE. Bastardly boy, sprung [41] from some coward's loins, And not the issue of great Tamburlaine! Of all the provinces I have subdu'd Thou shalt not have a foot, unless thou bear A mind courageous and invincible; For he shall wear the crown of Persia Whose head hath deepest scars, whose breast most wounds, Which, being wroth, sends lightning from his eyes, And in the furrows of his frowning brows Harbours revenge, war, death, and cruelty; For in a field, whose superficies [42] Is cover'd with a liquid purple veil, And sprinkled with the brains of slaughter'd men, My royal chair of state shall be advanc'd; And he that means to place himself therein, Must armed wade up to the chin in blood. ZENOCRATE. My lord, such speeches to our princely sons Dismay their minds before they come to prove The wounding troubles angry war affords. CELEBINUS. No, madam, these are speeches fit for us; For, if his chair were in a sea of blood, I would prepare a ship and sail to it, Ere I would lose the title of a king.