Unpeopling Western Africa and Greece,
Yet we assure us of the victory.

THERIDAMAS. Even he, that in a trice vanquish'd two kings
More mighty than the Turkish emperor,
Shall rouse him out of Europe, and pursue
His scatter'd army till they yield or die.

TAMBURLAINE. Well said, Theridamas! speak in that mood;
For WILL and SHALL best fitteth Tamburlaine,
Whose smiling stars give him assured hope
Of martial triumph ere he meet his foes.
I that am term'd the scourge and wrath of God,
The only fear and terror of the world,
Will first subdue the Turk, and then enlarge
Those Christian captives which you keep as slaves,
Burdening their bodies with your heavy chains,
And feeding them with thin and slender fare;
That naked row about the Terrene [158] sea,
And, when they chance to rest or breathe [159] a space,
Are punish'd with bastones [160] so grievously
That they [161] lie panting on the galleys' side,
And strive for life at every stroke they give.
These are the cruel pirates of Argier,
That damned train, the scum of Africa,
Inhabited with straggling runagates,
That make quick havoc of the Christian blood:
But, as I live, that town shall curse the time
That Tamburlaine set foot in Africa.

Enter BAJAZETH, BASSOES, the KINGS OF FEZ, MOROCCO,
and ARGIER; ZABINA and EBEA.

BAJAZETH. Bassoes and janizaries of my guard,
Attend upon the person of your lord,
The greatest potentate of Africa.

TAMBURLAINE. Techelles and the rest, prepare your swords;
I mean t' encounter with that Bajazeth.

BAJAZETH. Kings of Fez, Morocco, [162] and Argier,
He calls me Bajazeth, whom you call lord!
Note the presumption of this Scythian slave!--
I tell thee, villain, those that lead my horse
Have to their names titles [163] of dignity;
And dar'st thou bluntly call me Bajazeth?

TAMBURLAINE. And know, thou Turk, that those which lead my horse
Shall lead thee captive thorough Africa;
And dar'st thou bluntly call me Tamburlaine?

BAJAZETH. By Mahomet my kinsman's sepulchre,
And by the holy Alcoran I swear,
He shall be made a chaste and lustless eunuch,
And in my sarell [164] tend my concubines;
And all his captains, that thus stoutly stand,
Shall draw the chariot of my emperess,
Whom