The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Preface
• Publisher's Notice
• Introduction
• Tamburlaine the Great. In Two Parts.
• Tamburlaine the Great, Part Tbe First.
• The Prologue.
• Persons Represented. 1
• Tamburlaine the Great. Part the First.: Act the First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Act the Second.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Scene VII.
• Act the Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Act the Fourth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act the Fifth.
• Scene I.
• Tamburlaine the Great. Part the Second
• Prologue.
• Persons Represented.
• Tamburlaine the Great. Part the Second: Act the First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene II.
• Act the Second.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act the Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Act the Fourth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act the Fifth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus.
• Persons Represented.
• The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI. 1
• Scene VII.
• Scene VIII.
• Scene IX.
• Scene X.
• Scene XI.
• Scene XII.
• Scene XIII.
• Scene XIV.
• Scene XV.
• Scene XVI.
• Appendix to Dr. Faustus.
• Ballad of Faustus.

SCENE IV.

Mycetescomes out alone with his Crown in his hand, offering to hide it.

Myc.

• AccursÈD be he that first invented war!
• They knew not, ah they knew not, simple men,
• How those were hit by pelting cannon shot,
• Stand staggering like a quivering aspen leaf
• Fearing the force of Boreas' boisterous blasts.
• In what a lamentable case were I
• If Nature had not given me wisdom's lore,
• For kings are clouts1 that every man shoots at,
• Our crown the pin that thousands seek to cleave;
• Therefore in policy I think it good

  10

• To hide it close; a goodly stratagem,
• And far from any man that is a fool:
• So shall I not be known; or if I be,
• They cannot take away my crown from me.
• Here will I hide it in this simple hole.
• EnterTamburlaine.

Tamb.

• What, fearful coward, straggling from the camp,
• When kings themselves are present in the field?

Myc.

• Thou liest.

Tamb.

• Base villain! darest thou give2 the lie?

Myc.

• Away; I am the king; go; touch me not.
• Thou break'st the law of anns, unless thou kneel

  20

• And cry me “mercy, noble king.”

Tamb.

• Are you the witty king of Persia?

Myc.

• Ay, many am I: have you any suit to me?

Tamb.

• I would entreat you speak but three wise words.

Myc.

• So I can when I see my time.

Tamb.

• Is this your crown?

Myc.

• Ay, didst thou ever see a fairer?

Tamb.

• You will not sell it, will you?

Myc.

• Such another word and I will have thee executed. Come, give it me!

  30

Tamb.

• No; I took it prisoner.

Myc.

• You lie; I gave it you.

Tamb.

• Then 'tis mine.

Myc.

• No; I mean I let you keep it.

Tamb.

• Well; I mean you shall have it again.
• Here; take it for a while: I lend it thee,
• 'Till I may see thee hemmed with arméd men;
• Then shalt thou see me pull it from thy head:
• Thou art no match for mighty Tamburlaine.
• [Exit TAMBURLAINE.

Myc.

• O gods! Is this Tamburlaine the thief?

  40

• I marvel much he stole it not away.
• [Sound trumpets to the battle, and he runs in.

[1]The “clout” wras the mark at which the archers aimed, and the “pin” was the nail which fastened it.

[2]So 8vo. Dyce follows the reading of the 4to. “give me the lie.”