Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1
his friends; and, if the Persian king Should offer present dukedoms to our state, We think it loss to make exchange for that We are assur'd of by our friend's success. USUMCASANE. And kingdoms at the least we all expect, Besides the honour in assured conquests, Where kings shall crouch unto our conquering swords, And hosts of soldiers stand amaz'd at us, When with their fearful tongues they shall confess, These are the men that all the world admires. THERIDAMAS. What strong enchantments tice my yielding soul To these 59 resolved, noble Scythians! But shall I prove a traitor to my king? TAMBURLAINE. No; but the trusty friend of Tamburlaine. THERIDAMAS. Won with thy words, and conquer'd with thy looks, I yield myself, my men, and horse to thee, To be partaker of thy good or ill, As long as life maintains Theridamas. TAMBURLAINE. Theridamas, my friend, take here my hand, Which is as much as if I swore by heaven, And call'd the gods to witness of my vow. Thus shall my heart be still combin'd with thine Until our bodies turn to elements, And both our souls aspire celestial thrones.—      Techelles and Casane, welcome him. TECHELLES. Welcome, renowmed 60 Persian, to us all! USUMCASANE. Long may Theridamas remain with us! TAMBURLAINE. These are my friends, in whom I more rejoice Than doth the king of Persia in his crown; And, by the love of Pylades and Orestes, Whose statues 61 we adore in Scythia, Thyself and them shall never part from me Before I crown you kings 62 in Asia. Make much of them, gentle Theridamas, And they will never leave thee till the death. THERIDAMAS. Nor thee nor them, 63 thrice-noble Tamburlaine, Shall want my heart to be with gladness pierc'd, To do you honour and security. TAMBURLAINE. A thousand thanks, worthy Theridamas.—      And now, fair madam, and my noble lords, If you will 64 willingly remain with me, You shall have honours as your merits be; Or else you shall be forc'd with slavery. AGYDAS. We yield unto thee, happy Tamburlaine. TAMBURLAINE. For you, then, madam, I am out of doubt. ZENOCRATE. I must be pleas'd perforce,—wretched Zenocrate!            [Exeunt.] 

  

       ACT II.     

  

       SCENE I.     


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