sons have had no shares
In all the honours he propos'd for us.

CALYPHAS. Take you the honour, I will take my ease;
My wisdom shall excuse my cowardice:
I go into the field before I need!
[Alarms within. AMYRAS and CELEBINUS run out.]
The bullets fly at random where they list;
And, should I [187] go, and kill a thousand men,
I were as soon rewarded with a shot,
And sooner far than he that never fights;
And, should I go, and do no harm nor good,
I might have harm, which all the good I have,
Join'd with my father's crown, would never cure.
I'll to cards.--Perdicas!

Enter PERDICAS.

PERDICAS. Here, my lord.

CALYPHAS.
Come, thou and I will go to cards to drive away the time.

PERDICAS. Content, my lord: but what shall we play for?

CALYPHAS. Who shall kiss the fairest of the Turks' concubines
first, when my father hath conquered them.

PERDICAS. Agreed, i'faith.
[They play.]

CALYPHAS. They say I am a coward, Perdicas, and I fear
as little their taratantaras, their swords, or their cannons
as I do a naked lady in a net of gold, and, for fear I should be
afraid, would put it off and come to bed with me.

PERDICAS. Such a fear, my lord, would never make ye retire.

CALYPHAS. I would my father would let me be put in the front
of such a battle once, to try my valour! [Alarms within.]
What a coil they keep! I believe there will be some hurt done
anon amongst them.

Enter TAMBURLAINE, THERIDAMAS, TECHELLES, USUMCASANE;
AMYRAS and CELEBINUS leading in ORCANES, and the KINGS
OF JERUSALEM, TREBIZON, and SORIA; and SOLDIERS.

TAMBURLAINE.
See now, ye [188] slaves, my children stoop your pride, [189]
And lead your bodies [190] sheep-like to the sword!--
Bring them, my boys, and tell me if the wars
Be not a life that may illustrate gods,
And tickle not your spirits with desire
Still to be train'd in arms and chivalry?

AMYRAS. Shall we let go these kings again, my lord,
To gather greater numbers 'gainst our power,
That they may say, it is not chance doth this,
But matchless strength and magnanimity?

TAMBURLAINE. No, no, Amyras; tempt not Fortune so:
Cherish thy valour still with fresh supplies,
And glut it not with stale and dau