Tamburlaine the Great — Part 1
contributory kings. I crown you here, Theridamas, king of Argier; Techelles, king of Fez; and Usumcasane, king of Morocco. 236—How say you to this, Turk? these are not your contributory kings. BAJAZETH. Nor shall they long be thine, I warrant them. TAMBURLAINE. Kings of Argier, Morocco, and of Fez, You that have march'd with happy Tamburlaine As far as from the frozen plage 237 of heaven Unto the watery Morning's ruddy bower, And thence by land unto the torrid zone, Deserve these titles I endow you with By valour 238 and by magnanimity. Your births shall be no blemish to your fame; For virtue is the fount whence honour springs, And they are worthy she investeth kings. THERIDAMAS. And, since your highness hath so well vouchsaf'd, If we deserve them not with higher meeds Than erst our states and actions have retain'd, Take them away again, 239 and make us slaves. TAMBURLAINE. Well said, Theridamas:  when holy Fates Shall stablish me in strong Aegyptia, We mean to travel to th' antarctic pole, Conquering the people underneath our feet, And be renowm'd 240 as never emperors were.—      Zenocrate, I will not crown thee yet, Until with greater honours I be grac'd.            [Exeunt.] 

  

       ACT V.     

  

       SCENE I.     

           Enter the GOVERNOR OF DAMASCUS 241 with three or four CITIZENS, and four VIRGINS with branches of laurel in their hands. GOVERNOR. Still doth this man, or rather god of war, Batter our walls and beat our turrets down; And to resist with longer stubbornness, Or hope of rescue from the Soldan's power, Were but to bring our wilful overthrow, And make us desperate of our threaten'd lives. We see his tents have now been altered With terrors to the last and cruel'st hue; His coal-black colours, every where advanc'd, Threaten our city with a general spoil; And, if we should with common rites of arms Offer our safeties to his clemency, I fear the custom proper to his sword, Which he observes as parcel of his fame, Intending so to terrify the world, By any innovation or remorse 242 Will never be dispens'd with till our deaths. Therefore, for these our harmless virgins' sakes, 243 Whose honours and whose lives rely on him, Let us have hope that their unspotted prayers, Their blubber'd 244 cheeks, and hearty humble moans, Will melt his fury into some remorse,      
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