These are his words; Meander, set them down.
COSROE.And add this to them,--that all Asia Lament to see the folly of their king.
MYCETES.Well, here I swear by this my royal seat--
COSROE.You may do well to kiss it, then.
MYCETES.Emboss'd with silk as best beseems my state, To be reveng'd for these contemptuous words!
O, where is duty and allegiance now?
Fled to the Caspian or the Ocean main?
What shall I call thee? brother? no, a foe;
Monster of nature, shame unto thy stock, That dar'st presume thy sovereign for to mock!--
Meander, come: I am abus'd, Meander.
[Exeunt all except COSROE and MENAPHON.]
MENAPHON.How now, my lord! what, mated<15> and amaz'd To hear the king thus threaten like himself!
COSROE.Ah, Menaphon, I pass not<16> for his threats!
The plot is laid by Persian noblemen And captains of the Median garrisons To crown me emperor of Asia:
But this it is that doth excruciate The very substance of my vexed soul, To see our neighbours, that were wont to quake And tremble at the Persian monarch's name, Now sit and laugh our regiment<17> to scorn;
And that which might resolve<18> me into tears, Men from the farthest equinoctial line Have swarm'd in troops into the Eastern India, Lading their ships<19> with gold and precious stones, And made their spoils from all our provinces.
MENAPHON.This should entreat your highness to rejoice, Since Fortune gives you opportunity To gain the title of a conqueror By curing of this maimed empery.
Afric and Europe bordering on your land, And continent to your dominions, How easily may you, with a mighty host, Pass<20> into Graecia, as did Cyrus once, And cause them to withdraw their forces home, Lest you<21> subdue the pride of Christendom!
[Trumpet within.]
COSROE.But, Menaphon, what means this trumpet's sound?
MENAPHON.Behold, my lord, Ortygius and the rest Bringing the crown to make you emperor!
Re-enter ORTYGIUS and CENEUS,<22> with others, bearing a crown.
ORTYGIUS.Magnificent and mighty prince Cosroe, We, in the name of other Persian states<23>
And commons of this mighty monarchy, Present thee with th' imperial diadem.
CENEUS.The warlike soldiers and the gentlemen, That heretofore have fill'd Persepolis With Afric captains taken in the field, Whose ransom made them march in coats of gold, With costly jewels hanging at their ears, And shining stones upon their lofty crests, Now living idle in the walled towns, Wanting both pay and martial discipline, Begin in troops to threaten civil war, And openly exclaim against their<24> king:
Therefore, to stay all sudden mutinies, We will invest your highness emperor;
Whereat the soldiers will conceive more joy Than did the Macedonians at the spoil Of great Darius and his wealthy host.
COSROE.Well, since I see the state of Persia droop And languish in my brother's government, I willingly receive th' imperial crown, And vow to wear it for my country's good, In spite of them shall malice my estate.
ORTYGIUS.And, in assurance of desir'd success, We here do crown thee monarch of the East<;>
Emperor of Asia and Persia;<25>
Great lord of Media and Armenia;
Duke of Africa and Albania, Mesopotamia and of Parthia, East India and the late-discover'd isles;
Chief lord of all the wide vast Euxine Sea, And of the ever-raging<26> Caspian Lake.
ALL.<27> Long live Cosroe, mighty emperor!
COSROE.And Jove may<28> never let me longer live Than I may seek to gratify your love, And cause the soldiers that thus honour me To triumph over many provinces!
By whose desires of discipline in arms I doubt not shortly but to reign sole king, And with the army of Theridamas (Whither we presently will fly, my lords,)
To rest secure against my brother's force.
ORTYGIUS.We knew,<29> my lord, before we brought the crown, Intending your investion so near The residence of your despised brother, The lords<30> would not be too exasperate To injury<31> or suppress your worthy title;
Or, if they would, there are in readiness Ten thousand horse to carry you from hence, In spite of all suspected enemies.
COSROE.I know it well, my lord, and thank you all.
ORTYGIUS.Sound up the trumpets, then.
[Trumpets sounded.]
ALL.<32> God save the king!
[Exeunt.]
