Enter THERIDANAS, TECHELLES, anıl SOLDIERS, without the walls. Gov. Tyrant! I turn the traitor in thy throat, Tech. Yield, foolish governor; we offer more [Alarms : and they scale the walls. Enter TAMBURLAINE, USUMCASANE, AMYRAS, and CELEBINUS, NATOLIA, JERUSALEM, &c. Tamb. The stately buildings of fair Babylon, Whose lofty pillars, higher than the clouds Were wont to guide the seaman in the.deep, Being carried thither by the cannon's force, Now fill the mouth of Limnasphaltis' lake And make a bridge unto the batter'd walls. Where Belus, Ninus, and great Alexander Have rode in triumph, triumph Tamburlaine Whose chariot wheels have burst th’ Assyrians' bones Drawn with these kings on heaps of carcases. Now in the place, where fair Semiramis, Courted by kings and peers of Asia, Hath trod the measures, I and my soldiers march; And in the streets, where brave Assyrian dames My horsemen brandish their unruly blades. Who have ye there, my lords? THER. The sturdy governor of Babylon, That made us all the labour for the town, And us'd such slender reck'ning of your majesty." TAMB. Go, bind the traitor; he shall hang in chains Upon the ruins of this conquer'd town. Were full of comets and of blazing stars, Whose flaming trains should reach down to the earth, Could not affright you; no, nor I myself, The wrathful messenger of mighty Jove, That with his sword hath quell'd all earthly kings But still the ports were shut; villain! I say, The triple-headed Cerberus would howl And wake black Jove to crouch and kneel to me; Yet could not enter till the breach was made. Gov. Nor, if my body could have stopp'd the breach, Should'st thou have enter'd, cruel Tamburlaine. 'Tis not thy bloody tents can make me yield, Nor yet thyself, the anger of the highest ; For though thy cannon shook the city walls, My heart did never quake, nor courage faint. TAMB. Well, now I'll make it quake; go draw him up, Hang him in chains upon the city walls, Gov. Vile monster! born of some infernal hag, sear'd. Gov. But, Tamburlaine ; in Limnasphaltis' lake There lies more gold than Babylon is worth, Which, when the city was besieg’d, I hid. Save but my life and I will give it thee. TAMB. Then for all your valour you would save your life? Where about lies it? Gov. Under a hollow bank, right opposite Against the Western gate of Babylon. Tamb. Go thither, some of you, and take his gold; The rest forward with th' execution. Away with him hence, let him speak no more. I think I make your courage something quail. When this is done, we'll march from Babylon, [They hang up the Governor in chains. TREB. Wild tyrant! barb'rous bloody Tamburlaine! TAMB. Take them away, Theridamas; see them despatch'd. THER. I will, my lord. [Exit, with the Kings of Trebizond and Syria. TAMB. Coine, Asian viceroys; to your tasks awhile, And take such fortune as your fellows felt. ORC. First let thy Scythian horse tear both our limbs, Rather than we should draw thy chariot, And like base slaves abject our princely minds JER. Rather lend me thy weapon, Tamburlaine, TAMB. Bridle them, and let me to my coach. [They bridle them. AMY. See now, my lord, how brave the captain hangs. TAMB. 'Tis brave indeed, my boy; well done. Shoot first, my lord, and then the rest shall follow. Ther. Then have at him to begin withal, [Therid. shoots. Gov. Yet save my life, and let this wound appease The mortal fury of great Tamburlaine. TAMB. No, though Asphaitis' lake were liquid gold, And offer'd me as ransom for thy life, Yet should'st thou die. Shoot at him all at once. [They shoot. So, now he hangs like Bagdad's governor, Having as many bullets in his flesh As there be breaches in the batter'd walls. Go now, and bind the burghers hand and foot, And cast them headlong in the city's lake. Tartars and Persians shall inhabit there, And to command the city, I will build A citadel that all Africa, Which hath been subject to the Persian king, Shall pay me tribute for in Babylon. Tech. What shall be done with their wives and children, my lord ? Tamb. Techelles, drown them all, man, woman, and child. Leave not a Babylonian in the town, Tech. I will about it straight. Come, soldiers. [Exit, with Soldiers. TAMB. Now, Casane, where's the Turkish Alcoran, And all the heaps of superstitious books |