[ATTENDANTS bridle ORCANES king of Natolia, and the
KING OF JERUSALEM, and harness them to the chariot.--
The GOVERNOR OF BABYLON appears hanging in chains
on the walls.--Re-enter THERIDAMAS.]

AMYRAS. See, now, my lord, how brave the captain hangs!

TAMBURLAINE. 'Tis brave indeed, my boy:--well done!--
Shoot first, my lord, and then the rest shall follow.

THERIDAMAS. Then have at him, to begin withal.
[THERIDAMAS shoots at the GOVERNOR.]

GOVERNOR. Yet save my life, and let this wound appease
The mortal fury of great Tamburlaine!

TAMBURLAINE. No, though Asphaltis' lake were liquid gold,
And offer'd me as ransom for thy life,
Yet shouldst thou die.--Shoot at him all at once.
[They shoot.]
So, now he hangs like Bagdet's [278] governor,
Having as many bullets in his flesh
As there be breaches in her batter'd wall.
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, [279] that all Africa,
Which hath been subject to the Persian king,
Shall pay me tribute for in Babylon.

TECHELLES.
What shall be done with their wives and children, my lord?

TAMBURLAINE. Techelles, drown them all, man, woman, and child;
Leave not a Babylonian in the town.

TECHELLES. I will about it straight.--Come, soldiers.
[Exit with SOLDIERS.]

TAMBURLAINE. Now, Casane, where's the Turkish Alcoran,
And all the heaps of superstitious books
Found in the temples of that Mahomet
Whom I have thought a god? they shall be burnt.

USUMCASANE. Here they are, my lord.

TAMBURLAINE. Well said! [280] let there be a fire presently.
[They light a fire.]
In vain, I see, men worship Mahomet:
My sword hath sent millions of Turks to hell,
Slew all his priests, his kinsmen, and his friends,
And yet I live untouch'd by Mahomet.
There is a God, full of revenging wrath,
]From whom the thunder and the lightning breaks,
Whose scourge I am, and him will I [281] obey.
So, Casane; fling them in the fire.--
[They burn the books.]
Now, Mahomet, if thou have any power,
Come down thyself and work a miracle:
Thou art not worthy to be wors