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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Tamburlaine Part 2

Act: 5 Scene: 1

Yeeld foolish Governour, we offer more

Than ever yet we did to such proud slaves,

As durst resist us till our third daies siege:

Thou seest us prest to give the last assault,

And that shal bide no more regard of parlie.

What shal be done with their wives and children my Lord.

I will about it straight, come Souldiers.

I have fulfil'd your highnes wil, my Lord,

Thousands of men drown'd in Asphaltis Lake,

Have made the water swell above the bankes,

And fishes fed by humaine carkasses,

Amasde, swim up and downe upon the waves,

As when they swallow Assafatida,

Which makes them fleet aloft and gaspe for aire.

What is it dares distemper Tamburlain?

Act: 5 Scene: 3

O then ye Powers that sway eternal seates,

And guide this messy substance of the earthe,

If you retaine desert of holinesse,

As your supreame estates instruct our thoughtes,

Be not inconstant, carelesse of your fame,

Beare not the burthen of your enemies joyes,

Triumphing in his fall whom you advaunst,

But as his birth, life, health and majesty

Were strangely blest and governed by heaven,

So honour heaven til heaven dissolved be,

His byrth, his life, his health and majesty.

Sit stil my gratious Lord, this griefe wil cease ,

And cannot last, it is so violent.

Then let some God oppose his holy power,

Against the wrath and tyranny of death,

That his teare-thyrsty and unquenched hate,

May be upon himselfe reverberate.