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    Contents:
  • To the Gentlemen Readers: and others that take pleasure in reading Histories
  • The two tragicall Discourses of mighty Tamburlaine, the Scythian Shepheard, etc.
  • The Prologue
  • Act 1
  • Act 2
  • Act 3
  • Act 4
  • Act 5

    • Christopher Marlowe, Tamburlaine, Part 1

    Your current position in the text is marked in red. Click anywhere on the line to jump to another position.
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    Table of ContentsGo to Next

    To the Gentlemen Readers: and others that take pleasure in reading Histories

    Gentlemen, and curteous Readers whosoever: I have here published in print for your sakes, the two1 tragical Discourses2 of the Scythian Shepheard, Tamburlaine, that became so great a Conquerour, and so mightie a Monarque: My hope is, that they3 wil be now no lesse acceptable unto you to read after your serious affaires and studies,then they have4 bene (lately) delightfull for many of you to see, when the same were5 shewed in London upon stages: I have (purposely) omitted and left out some fond and frivolous Jestures, digressing (and in my poore opinion) far unmeet for the matter, which I thought, might seeme more tedious unto the wise, than any way else to be regarded, though (happly6) they have bene of some vaine conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, what times7 they were shewed upon the stage in their graced deformities: nevertheles now, to be mixtured8 in print with such matter of worth, it wuld proove a great disgrace to so honorable and stately a historie: Great folly were it in me, to commend unto your wisedomes, either the eloquence of the Author that writ them9, or the worthinesse of the matter it selfe; I therefore leave10 unto your learned censures , both the one and the other,11 and my selfe the poore printer of them unto your most curteous and favourable protection12; which if you vouchsafe to accept13, you shall ever more14 binde mee to imploy what travell and service I can, to the advauncing and pleasuring of your excellent degree.

    Yours, most humble15 at commaundement,

    R. J. Printer

      [DRAMATIS PERSONAE

    • Chorus
    • MYCETES: King of Persia
    • COSROE: his brother

        • Persian Lords

      • MEANDER
      • THERIDAMAS
      • ORTYGIUS
      • CENEUS
      • MENAPHON
    • TAMBURLAINE: a Scythian shepherd

        • his followers

      • TECHELLES
      • USUMCASANE
    • BAJAZETH, emperor of the Turks
    • KING OF FEZ
    • KING OF MOROCCO
    • KING OF ARGIER
    • KING OF ARABIA
    • SOLDAN OF EGYPT
    • GOVERNOR OF DAMASCUS

        • Median Lords

      • AGYDAS
      • MAGNETESY
    • CAPOLIN: an Egyptian
    • PHILEMUS: a Messenger
    • Bassoes, Lords, Citizens, Moors, Soldiers, and Attendants
    • ZENOCRATE: daughter to the Soldan of Egypt
    • ANIPPE, her maid
    • ZABINA: wife to Bajazeth
    • EBEA: her maid
    • Virgins of Damascus.]

    The two tragicall Discourses16 of mighty Tamburlaine, the Scythian Shepheard, etc.

    The Prologue

    From jygging vaines of riming mother wits,
    And such conceits as clownage keepes in pay,
    Weele leade you to the stately tent of War:17
    Where you shall heare the Scythian Tamburlaine,18
    5
    Threatning the world with high astounding tearms
    And scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword.19
    View but his picture in this tragicke glasse,
    And then applaud his fortunes20 if you please21.

    I.i22

    [Enter] Mycetes, Cosroe, Meander, Theridamas, Ortygius, Ceneus, [Menaphon,] with others.
    Mycetes
    Brother Cosroe, I find my selfe agreev'd,
    10
    Yet insufficient to expresse the same:
    For it requires a great and thundering speech:
    Good brother tell the cause unto my Lords,
    I know you have a better wit than I.
    Cosroe
    Unhappie Persea, that in former age
    15
    Hast bene the seat of mightie Conquerors,
    That in their prowesse and their pollicies,
    Have triumpht over Affrike23, and the bounds
    Of Europe wher the Sun dares scarce24 appeare,
    For freezing meteors25 and conjealed colde:
    20
    Now to be rulde and governed by a man,
    At whose byrth-day Cynthia with Saturne joinde,
    And Jove, the Sun,26 and Mercurie denied
    To shed their27 influence in28 his fickle braine,
    Now Turkes and Tartars shake their swords at thee,29
    25
    Meaning to mangle all thy Provinces.
    Mycetes
    Brother, I see your meaning well enough.
    And thorough your Planets30 I perceive you thinke,
    I am not wise enough to be a kinge,
    But I refer me to my noble men,
    30
    That knowe my wit, and can be witnesses:
    I might command you31 to be slaine for this,
    Meander, might I not?
    Meander
    Not for so small a fault my soveraigne Lord.
    Mycetes
    I meane it not, but yet I know I might,
    35
    Yet live, yea, live, Mycetes wils it so:
    Meander, thou my faithfull Counsellor,
    Declare the cause of my conceived griefe,
    Which is (God knowes) about that Tamburlaine,32
    That like a Foxe in midst of harvest time,
    40
    Dooth pray uppon my flockes of33 Passengers,34
    And as I heare, doth meane to pull my plumes.35
    Therefore tis good and meete for to be wise.
    Meander
    Oft have I heard your Majestie complain,
    Of Tamburlaine, that sturdie Scythian thiefe,
    45
    That robs your merchants of Persepolis,
    Trading36 by land unto the Westerne Isles,
    And in your confines with his lawlesse traine,
    Daily commits incivill37 outrages,38
    Hoping
    50
    To raigne in Asia and with barbarous Armes
    To make himselfe the Monarch of the East:
    But ere he march in Asia or display
    His vagrant Ensigne in the Persean fields
    Your Grace hath taken order by Theridamas39,
    55
    Chardg'd with a thousand horse, to apprehend
    And bring him Captive to your Highnesse throne.
    Mycetes
    Ful true thou speakst, and like thy selfe my lord,40
    Whom I may tearme a Damon for thy love.
    Therefore tis best, if so it lik you all,
    60
    To send my thousand horse incontinent,
    To apprehend that paltrie Scythian.
    How like you41 this, my honorable Lords?
    Is it not a kingly resolution?
    Cosroe
    It cannot choose, because it comes from you.
    Mycetes
    65
    Then heare thy charge, valiant Theridamas42,43
    The chiefest44 Captaine of Mycetes hoste,
    The hope of Persea, and the verie legges
    Whereon our state doth leane, as on a staffe,
    That holds us up, and foiles our neighbour foes.
    70
    Thou shalt be leader of this thousand horse,
    Whose foming galle with rage and high disdaine,
    Have sworne the death of wicked Tamburlaine.
    Go frowning foorth, but come thou smyling home,
    As did Sir Paris with the Grecian Dame:45
    75
    Returne with speed, time passeth swift away,
    Our life is fraile, and we may die to day.
    Theridamas
    Before the Moone renew her borrowed light,
    Doubt not my Lord and gratious Soveraigne,
    But Tamburlaine, and that Tartarian rout,
    80
    Shall either perish by our warlike hands,
    Or plead for mercie at your highnesse feet.
    Mycetes
    Go, stout Theridamas, thy words are swords,46
    And with thy lookes thou conquerest all thy foes:
    I long to see thee backe returne from thence,
    85
    That I may view these milk-white steeds of mine,47
    All loden with the heads of killed men.
    And from their knees, even to their hoofes below,
    Besmer'd with blood, that makes a dainty show.
    Theridamas
    Then now my Lord, I humbly take my leave.
    Exit.
    Mycetes
    90
    Theridamas48,49 farewel ten thousand times.50
    Ah, Menaphon, why staiest thou thus behind,
    When other men prease forward for renowne:
    Go Menaphon, go into Scythia,
    And foot by foot follow Theridamas.
    Cosroe
    95
    Nay, pray you51 let him stay, a greater task52
    Fits Menaphon, than warring with a Thiefe:
    Create him Prorex of Assiria53,
    That he may win the Babylonians54 hearts,
    Which will revolt from Persean government,
    100
    Unlesse they have a wiser king than you.
    Mycetes
    Unlesse they have a wiser king than you ?
    These are his words, Meander set them downe.
    Cosroe
    And ad this to them, that all Asia
    Lament55 to see the follie of their King.
    Mycetes
    105
    Well here I sweare by this my royal56 seat --57
    Cosroe
    You may doe well to kisse it then.58
    Mycetes
    Embost with silke as best beseemes my state,59
    To be reveng'd for these contemptuous words.
    O where is dutie and allegeance now?
    110
    Fled to the Caspean or the Ocean maine?
    What,60 shall I call thee brother? No, a foe,
    Monster of Nature, shame unto thy stocke,
    That dar'st presume thy Soveraigne for61 to mocke.
    Meander come, I am abus'd Meander.
    Exeunt62.
    Manent Cosroe and Menaphon.
    Menaphon
    115
    How now my Lord, what, mated and amaz'd
    To heare the king thus threaten63 like himselfe?
    Cosroe
    Ah Menaphon, I passe not for his threates,
    The plot is laid by Persean Noble men,
    And Captaines of the Medean garrisons,
    120
    To crowne me Emperour of Asia.64
    But this it is that doth excruciate
    The verie substance of my vexed soule:
    To see our neighbours that were woont to quake
    And tremble at the Persean Monarkes name,
    125
    Now sits and laughs65 our regiment to scorne:66
    And that which might resolve67 me into teares,68
    Men from the farthest Equinoctiall line,
    Have swarm'd in troopes into the Easterne India:
    Lading their shippes69 with golde and pretious stones:
    130
    And made their spoiles from all our provinces.
    Menaphon
    This should intreat70 your highnesse to rejoice,
    Since Fortune gives you opportunity,
    To gaine the tytle of a Conquerour,
    By curing of this maimed Emperie.71
    135
    Affrike and Europe bordering on your land,
    And continent to your Dominions:
    How Basely may you with a mightie hoste,
    Passe72 into Groecia, as did Cyrus once.
    And cause them to withdraw their forces home,
    140
    Least you73 subdue the pride of Christendome?74
    Cosroe
    But Menaphon75,76 what means this trumpets sound?77
    Menaphon
    Behold, my Lord,78 Ortigius and the rest,
    Bringing the Crowne to make you Emperour.
    Enter Ortigius and Ceneus79 bearing a Crowne,80with others.
    Ortygius
    Magnificent and mightie Prince Cosroe,
    145
    We in the name of other Persean states,
    And commons of this81 mightie Monarchie,
    Present thee with th'Emperiall Diadem.
    Ceneus
    The warlike Souldiers, and the Gentlemen,
    That heretofore have fild Persepolis
    150
    With Affrike Captaines, taken in the field:
    Whose ransome made them martch in coates of gold,
    With costlie jewels hanging at their eares,
    And shining stones upon their loftie Crestes:82
    Now living idle in the walled townes,
    155
    Wanting both pay and martiall discipline,83
    Begin in troopes to threaten civill warre,84
    And openly exclaime against the85 King.
    Therefore to stay86 all sodaine mutinies,
    We will invest your Highnesse Emperour:
    160
    Whereat the Souldiers will conceive more joy,
    Then did the Macedonians at the spoile
    Of great Darius and his wealthy hoast.
    Cosroe
    Wel, since I see the state of Persea droope,
    And languish in my brothers government:
    165
    I willingly receive th'emperiall87 crowne,
    And vow to weare it for my countries good:
    In spight of them shall malice my estate.
    Ortygius
    And in assurance of desir'd successe,
    We here doo crowne thee Monarch of the East,
    170
    Emperour of Asia, ad of Persea88,
    Great Lord of Medea and Armenia:
    Duke of Assiria89 and Albania,
    Mesopotamia and of Parthia,
    East lndia and the late discovered Isles,
    175
    Chiefe Lord of all the wide vast90 Euxine sea,
    And of the ever91 raging Caspian Lake:
    Long92 live Cosroe mighty Emperour.
    Cosroe
    And Jove may93 never let me longer live,
    Then I may seeke to gratifie your love,
    180
    And cause the souldiers that thus honour me,
    To triumph over many Provinces.
    By whose desires94 of95 discipline in Armes,
    I doubt not shortly but to raigne sole king,
    And with the Armie of Theridamas,
    185
    Whether we presently will flie (my Lords)
    To rest secure against my brothers force.
    Ortygius
    We knew96 my Lord, before we brought the crowne,
    Intending your investion so neere97
    The residence of your dispised brother,
    190
    The Lords98 would not be too exasperate,
    To injure99 or suppresse your woorthy tytle.
    Or if they would, there are in readines
    Ten thousand horse to carte you from hence,
    In spite of all suspected enemies.
    Cosroe
    195
    I know it wel my Lord, and thanke you all.
    Ortygius
    Sound up the trumpets then, God save the King.
    Exeunt [attended].

    1 the two: this O4
    2 Discourses: discourse O4
    3 they: it O4
    4 they have: it hath O4
    5 were: was O4
    6 happly: happilye O4
    7 times: time O2 D1 D2 C B
    8 mixtured: mingled O3 O4
    9 them: it O4
    10 leave: leave it O4
    11 , both the one and the other,: om. O4
    12 protection: protections O3 O4
    13 accept: doo O4 O3
    14 ever more: evermore O2
    15 humble: om. O4
    16 The two tragicall Discourses: The First Part of the two tragicall Discourses O2: The tragicall Conquests O3 O4
    17 (colon) O3: (period) O1: (comma) O2
    18 (comma) O4: (colon) O1 O2 O3
    19 (period) O2: om. O1
    20 fortunes: fortune C B
    21 you please: they passe Coll
    22 I.i: Actus.1 Scaena.1. O1 O2 O3 O4
    23 Affrike: Affrica O3 O4
    24 dares scarce: scarce dares Ox R
    25 meteors: waters Coll
    26 (comma) O1(u): om. O1(c)
    27 their: his O1 O2 O3 O4
    28 in: on Ox R
    29 (comma) O2: om. O1
    30 Planets: plainness Coll
    31 you: yon O3
    32 (comma) O4: (period) O1 O2 O3
    33 of: & Coll
    34 (comma) O4: (period) O1 O3: (colon) O2
    35 (period): (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    36 Trading: Treading O1 O3 O4 W K Ri
    37 incivill: uncivill O3 O4 Ox R C Ri
    38 outrages,: outrages. O1 O2 O3 O4
    39 Theridamas O2: Theridimas O1
    40 (comma) O4: om. O1 O2 O3
    41 you: om. O3 O4
    42 Theridamas O4: Theridimas O1 O2 O3
    43 (comma): om. O1 O2 O3 O4
    44 chiefest: chiefe O4
    45 (colon): (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    46 (comma) O2: om. O1
    47 (comma) O4: (period) O1 O2 O3
    48 Theridamas O4: Therid O1 O2 O3
    49 (comma): (period) O1 O2 O3: om. O4
    50 (period) O3: (comma) O1 O2
    51 you: om. O3 O4
    52 task: om. O1 O2 O3 O4: feat Mal
    53 Assiria: Affrica O1 O2 O3: all Affrica O4 OxR C B W M K Rg
    54 Babylonians: Babylonian Ox R
    55 Lament: Laments Ox R C B
    56 my royal: my my royal O2
    57 --: (period) O1 O3: (comma) O2 O4
    58 (period): then, Mycetes. W
    59 (comma) O2: (period) O1
    60 (comma): om. Ox R C B
    61 for: so Coll
    62 Exeunt: Exit O1 O2 O3 O4
    63 threaten O2: thraten O1
    64 (period): (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    65 sits and laughs: sit and laugh Ox R D C B
    66 (colon): (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    67 resolve: dissolve O3 O4
    68 (comma) O4: (colon) O1 O2 O3
    69 shippes: shippe O2
    70 intreat: incite Coll
    71 (period): (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    72 Passe: Haste O3 O4
    73 you: they O4
    74 ? O4: (period) O1 O2 O3
    75 Menaphon: Menaph O1 O2 O3 O4
    76 (comma): (period) O1 O2 O3 O4
    77 ? O2: om. O1
    78 (comma): om. O1 O2 O3 O4 TB
    79 Ceneus: Conerus O1 O2 O3 O4
    80 (comma) O4: om. O1 O2 O3
    81 this: the Ox R C B K
    82 (colon): (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    83 (comma) O4: (period) O1 O2 O3
    84 (comma) O2: (period) O1
    85 the: their O2 Ox R D C B
    86 stay: stop Ox R C B K
    87 th'emperiall: om. O2: th'mperiall O1
    88 of Persea: Persea O2 Ox R D B
    89 Assiria: Affrica O1 O2 O3 O4
    90 wide vast: vase wide R
    91 ever: river O4
    92 Long: All. Long O3 O4 Ox R D C B
    93 Jove may: may Jove Br: om.
    94 desires: desire Ox R C B
    95 of: and Coll
    96 knew: knowe O4
    97 neere: (comma) O1 O2 O3 O4
    98 Lords: Lord O1 O2
    99 injure: injurie O2 O3 D C B W



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