Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1
hundred men, Won on the fifty-headed Volga's waves, Shall we all offer 41 to Zenocrate, And then myself to fair Zenocrate. TECHELLES. What now! in love? TAMBURLAINE. Techelles, women must be flattered:      But this is she with whom I am in 42 love. Enter a SOLDIER. SOLDIER. News, news! TAMBURLAINE. How now! what's the matter? SOLDIER. A thousand Persian horsemen are at hand, Sent from the king to overcome us all. TAMBURLAINE. How now, my lords of Egypt, and Zenocrate! Now must your jewels be restor'd again, And I, that triumph'd 43 so, be overcome? How say you, lordings? is not this your hope? AGYDAS. We hope yourself will willingly restore them. TAMBURLAINE. Such hope, such fortune, have the thousand horse. Soft ye, my lords, and sweet Zenocrate! You must be forced from me ere you go.—      A thousand horsemen! we five hundred foot! An odds too great for us to stand against. But are they rich? and is their armour good! SOLDIER. Their plumed helms are wrought with beaten gold, Their swords enamell'd, and about their necks Hang massy chains of gold down to the waist; In every part exceeding brave 44 and rich. TAMBURLAINE. Then shall we fight courageously with them? Or look you I should play the orator? TECHELLES. No; cowards and faint-hearted runaways Look for orations when the foe is near:      Our swords shall play the orators for us. USUMCASANE. Come, let us meet them at the mountain-top, 45 And with a sudden and an hot alarum Drive all their horses headlong down the hill. TECHELLES. Come, let us march. TAMBURLAINE. Stay, Techelles; ask a parle first. The SOLDIERS enter. Open the mails, 46 yet guard the treasure sure:      Lay out our golden wedges to the view, That their reflections may amaze the Persians; And look we friendly on them when they come:      But, if they offer word or violence, We'll fight, five hundred men-at-arms to one, Before we part with our possession; And 'gainst the general we will lift our swords, And either lance 47 his greedy thirsting throat, Or take him prisoner, and his chain shall serve For manacles till he be ransom'd home. TECHELLES. I hear them come:  shall we encounter them? TAMBURLAINE. Keep all your standings, and not stir a foot:      Myself will bide the danger of the brunt. Enter THERIDAMAS with others. THERIDAMAS. Where is this 48 Scythian Tamburlaine? TAMBURLAINE. Whom seek'st thou, Persian? I am Tamburlaine. THERIDAMAS. Tamburlaine! A Scythian shepherd so embellished With nature's pride and richest furniture! His 
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