Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 5.djvu/590

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [io- s. v. JUNE 23, im.

and whensoever he tooke horse he used his bodie for an advauntage."

Primaudaye goes on to say that Valerianus, the emperor, was similarly handled by Saphor, King of Persia. And elsewhere

(ch. xliv. p. 474) : " Valerianus prisoner

in the hands of Sapor, King of the Parthians, who used the throte of this miserable emperor whensoever he mounted upon his horse " (evidently a Persian triumph).

The above concise account is noteworthy at once from its variance from modern historical accounts of Timour, and the exact agreement of its statements with those relating to the same passages in his life in Marlowe's 'First Part.' For it does not trench at all upon Marlowe's second -play period, excepting in the anticipation of Tamburlaine's death. I will briefly draw attention to these parallels. In the first place, the dramatist constantly cites his hero as an extraordinary specimen of Fortune's power. (References are to Bullen's text.) " A most wonderful effect of fortune."

"Tamburlaine I hold the Fates bound

fast in iron chains, And with my hand turn Fortune's wheel about" (I. ii. 173-4).

" Cosroe Tamburlaine the man that

in the forehead of his fortune Bears figures of renown and miracle " (II. i. 2-4). " Now, worthy Tamburlaine, have I reposed In thy approved fortunes all my hope " (II. iii. 1-2).

" Bajazet Such a star hath influence in

his sword As rules the skies and counter- mands the gods" (V. ii. 231-2). " Orcanes. Schavonians, Almains, Rutters, Muffs, and Danes, Fear not Orcanes, but great Tambur- laine ; Nor he, but Fortune that hath made him great" (Part II., I. i. 59-60). "That proud Fortune who hath followed long the martial sword of mighty Tamburlaine, Will now retain her old inconstancy " (III. i.

28-30). "Tamburlaine That treadeth

Fortune underneath his feet " (III. iv. 45-52). It is an essence of Marlowe's Tamburlaine that he is invincible because he commands Fortune. It is his boast.

" A peasant's son and keeping cattel." 14 The Scythian shepherd Tamburlaine" (Dedic.). ** Tamburlaine. I am a lord, for so my deeds shall prove ; And yet a shepherd by ray Parentage" (I. ii. 33-4). And con- tinuously.

panions." " Tamburlaine. A thousand horse- men ! we five hundred foot ! Are odds too great for us to stand, against " (I. ii. 120-21) "These men, selling their cattel, betook them to arms, robbed the merchants of that country, and. watched, the high ways."
 * ' Corrupted 500 sheepheards his com-

" That Tamburlaine Doth prey upon my

flocks and passengers that sturdy Scy-

bhian thief That robs your merchants of Persepolis, Trading by land unto the Western Isles" (Li. 30-38).

"Which when the king of Persia under- stood of, he sent a captaine with 1,000 horse to discomfit them." " Mycetes. Then bear thy charge, valiant Theridamas, The chiefest captain of Mycetes' host.

Thou shalt be leader of this thousand

horse, Whose foaming gall with rage and high disdain Have sworn the death of wicked

Tamburlaine and that Tartarian rout"

(I. i. 57-71).

" But Tamburlaine delt so with him, that joining both togither they wrought many incredible feates of armes." "Theridamas. Where is this Scythian Tamburlaine ?

Tamburlaine I see the folly of thy

emperor. Art thou but captaine of a

thousand horse, That Deserv'st to have

the leading of an host ? Forsake thy king and do but join with me, And we will

triumph over all the world Theridamas.

Not Hermes, prolocutor to the gods, Could

use persuasions more pathetical What

strong enchantments tice my yielding soul

Won with thy words and conquer'd with

thy looks, I yield myself, my men and horse to thee To be partaker of thy good and ill " (I. ii. 151-229).

" And when civil warre grew betwixt the King and his brother." lf Ortygius. Magnifi- cent and mighty Prince Cosroe, We, in the name of other Persian states And commons of this mighty monarchy, Present thee with th' imperial diadem. Ceneus. The warlike

soldiers and the gentlemen Begin in

troops to threaten civil war, And openly

exclaim against their King Cosroe. Well,

since I see the state of Persia droop And languish in my brother's government, I willingly receive the imperial crown " (I. i. 136-58).

"Tamburlane entred into the brother's pay."" Cosroe. Thus far are we towards

Theridamas, And valiant Tamburlaine

Ceneus. He that with shepherds and a little

spoil Durst Defend his freedom 'gainst a

monarchy, What will he do supported by a

King And stuffed with treasure for his

highest thoughts ! Cosroe. And such shall wait on worthy Tamburlaine " (II. i. 1-60).

"Who obtained the victory by his means, and thereupon [Cosroe] made him [Tambur- laine] his lieutenant general." ** Cosroe. Come, Tamburlaine ! now whet thy winged

sword That it may reach the King of

Persia's grown, And, set it safe on my