Tamburlaine the Great — Part 2

THERIDAMAS.  Why, madam, think you to mock me thus palpably?

OLYMPIA.  To prove it, I will 'noint my naked throat,
Which when you stab, look on your weapon's point,
And you shall see't rebated 219 (#x7_x_7_i155) with the blow.

THERIDAMAS.  Why gave you not your husband some of it,
If you lov'd him, and it so precious?

OLYMPIA.  My purpose was, my lord, to spend it so,
But was prevented by his sudden end;
And for a present easy proof thereof, 220 (#x7_x_7_i158)
That I dissemble not, try it on me.

THERIDAMAS.  I will, Olympia, and will 221 (#x7_x_7_i161) keep it for
The richest present of this eastern world.

[She anoints her throat. 222 (#x7_x_7_i164)]

OLYMPIA.  Now stab, my lord, and mark your weapon's point,
That will be blunted if the blow be great.

THERIDAMAS.  Here, then, Olympia.—

[Stabs her.]

What, have I slain her?  Villain, stab thyself!
Cut off this arm that at murdered my 223 (#x7_x_7_i167) love,
In whom the learned Rabbis of this age
Might find as many wondrous miracles
As in the theoria of the world!
Now hell is fairer than Elysium; 224 (#x7_x_7_i170)
A greater lamp than that bright eye of heaven,
]From whence the stars do borrow 225 (#x7_x_7_i173) all their light,
Wanders about the black circumference;
And now the damned souls are free from pain,
For every Fury gazeth on her looks;
Infernal Dis is courting of my love,
Inventing masks and stately shows for her,
Opening the doors of his rich treasury
To entertain this queen of chastity;
Whose body shall be tomb'd with all the pomp
The treasure of my 226 (#x7_x_7_i176) kingdom may afford.

[Exit with the body.]

SCENE III

Enter TAMBURLAINE, drawn in his chariot by the KINGS OF TREBIZON and SORIA, 227 (#x7_x_7_i179) with bits in their mouths, reins in his 228 (#x7_x_7_i182) left hand, and in his right hand a whip with which he scourgeth them; AMYRAS, CELEBINUS, TECHELLES, THERIDAMAS, USUMCASANE; ORCANES king of Natolia, and the KING OF JERUSALEM, led by five 229 (#x7_x_7_i185) or six common SOLDIERS;

and other SOLDIERS.

TAMBURLAINE.  Holla, ye pamper'd jades of Asia! 230 (#x7_x_7_i188)
What, can ye draw but twenty miles a-day,
And have so proud a chariot at your heels,
And such a coachman as great Tamburlaine,
But from Asphaltis, where I conquer'd you,
To Byron here, where thus I honour you?
The horse that guide the golden eye of heaven,
And blow the morning from their nostrils, 231 (#x7_x_7_i217)
Making their fiery gait above the clouds,
Are not so honour'd in 232 (#x7_x_7_i224) their governor
As you, ye slaves, in mighty Tamburlaine.
The headstrong jades of Thrace Alcides tam'd,
That King Aegeus fed with human flesh,
And made so wanton that they knew their strengths,
Were not subdu'd with valour more divine
Than you by this unconquer'd arm of mine.
To make you fierce, and fit my appetite,
You shall be fed with flesh as raw as blood,
And drink in pails the strongest muscadel:
If you can live with it, then live, and draw
My chariot swifter than the racking 233 (#x7_x_7_i227) clouds;
If not, then die like beasts, and fit for naught
But perches for the black and fatal ravens.
Thus am I right the scourge of highest Jove;
And see the figure of my dignity,
By which I hold my name and majesty!

AMYRAS.  Let me have coach, 234 (#x7_x_7_i230) my lord, that I may ride,
And thus be drawn by 235 (#x7_x_7_i233) these two idle kings.

TAMBURLAINE.  Thy youth forbids such ease, my kingly boy:
They shall to-morrow draw my chariot,
While these their fellow-kings may be refresh'd.

ORCANES.  O thou that sway'st the region under earth,
And art a king as absolute as Jove,
Come as thou didst in fruitful Sicily,
Surveying all the glories of the land,
And as thou took'st the fair Proserpina,
Joying the fruit of Ceres' garden-plot, 236 (#x7_x_7_i236)
For love, for honour, and to make her queen,
So, for just hate, for shame, and to subdue
This proud contemner of thy dreadful power,
Come once in fury, and survey his pride,
Haling him headlong to the lowest hell!

THERIDAMAS.  Your majesty must get some bits for these,