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 lity
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 PRINTED FOR THE MALONE SOCIETY BY 
 
 CHARLES WHITTINGHAM & CO. 
 
 AT THE CHISWICK 
 
 PRESS
 
 THE TRAGICAL REIGN 
 OF SELIMUS 
 
 J 594 
 
 ■• 
 
 
 
   
 
 - » 
 
 THE MALONE SOCIETY 
 REPRINTS 
 
 1908
 
 This reprint of the Tragical Reign of Selimus has been 
 prepared by W. Bang and checked by the General 
 Editor. 
 
 Feb. 1909. W. W. Greg. 

 
 PR 
 
 No entry of Selimus has been found on the Stationers' \u_r 
 Registers. _ 
 
 The play was printed in quarto by Thomas Creede 
 with the date 1594, and this is the only edition known. 
 It is described on the title-page as ' The First part of the 
 Tragicall raigne of Selimus,' and the epilogue promises 
 a continuation, but there is no evidence that any such 
 second partwas everwritten. In 1638 the unsold stock was 
 issued by John Crooke and Richard Serger, with a new 
 title-page as ' The Tragedy of Selimus Emperour of the 
 Turkes. Written [by] T. G.' These initials are supposed 
 to refer to Thomas Goffe, whose Turkish tragedies 
 were then fairly recent. The prologue, which occupied 
 the verso of the cancelled title-page, was not reprinted. 
 
 Of the original issue there are copies at the British 
 Museum (C. 34. b. 43), and the Bodleian, two in the 
 Dyce collection (one imperfect), and one in that of the 
 Duke of Devonshire. Of these the first two have been 
 collated throughout in preparing the present reprint, 
 while all irregularities have been checked with the two 
 Dyce copies. Of the later issue copies are found at the 
 British Museum (643. c. 45) and the Bodleian. The 
 former has been collated. The first and last leaves, 
 presumably blank, are wanting in all copies seen. No 
 variants have been observed. The text of the quarto is 
 printed in an ordinary roman type of a body closely re- 
 sembling modern Pica (20 11. = 83 mm.), the prologue 
 in the corresponding italic, and the epilogue or * Con- 
 clusion' in a larger roman type of a body between modern 
 English and Great Primer (20 11. = 1 1 1 mm.). 
 
 With regard to authorship it may be said that there 
 is exactly the same evidence for ascribing Selimus to 
 Greene, as for ascribing the Battle of Alcazar to Peele. 
 Six passages, namely, taken from Selimus are quoted
 
 above Greene's name in England' 's Parnassus (1600, 
 s.v. Delay, Fear, Hate, Kings, Phoenix ; see Collins' 
 Greene, ii. 398-406). These passages correspond to the 
 following lines of the quarto: 499-505, 1388-9, 1395, 
 35-6, 849-53, anc ^ 454~5> the only variations beyond 
 points of orthography being ' Echinasus ' for ' Echinseis ' 
 in 1. 455, ' the ' for ' his ' in 1. 500, ' them ' for * him' in 
 1. 502, the correction of ' Daniocles' in 1. 851. This is 
 valuable evidence, but it cannot unfortunately be regarded 
 as conclusive even of the compiler's opinion as to the 
 authorship, for we elsewhere find Greene's name ap- 
 pended to three quotations from Spenser, while the de- 
 scription of Samela from Greene's Menaphon is assigned 
 to Lodge. 
 
 The author of Selimus, whoever he may have been, 
 seems to have drawn his material from the Turkish 
 Chronicles of Paulusjovius, but whether from the original 
 or from a translation is at present uncertain. 
 
 List of Irregular and Doubtful Readings. 
 
 41. 
 
 runne. 
 
 3 J 7- 
 
 them (then) 
 
 588. 
 
 fword (fword.) 
 
 42. 
 
 fpright? (fpright.) 
 
 335- 
 
 religions 
 
 596. 
 
 Hnd 
 
 59- 
 
 poore, 
 
 
 (religious) 
 
 597- 
 
 faid thou 
 
 84, 
 
 89, 100, 163. 
 
 344- 
 
 loue. (like.?) 
 
 609. 
 
 aud 
 
 
 Selmi 
 
 35i. 
 
 where. 
 
 6 33- 
 
 jEgyhtian 
 
 117. 
 
 Enters 
 
 360. 
 
 as the reft. 
 
 651. 
 
 fonnes (fonne?) 
 
 139. 
 
 gainft Perfians 
 
 43 2 - 
 
 greeue : 
 
 652. 
 
 BafTaies (BafTaes) 
 
 140. 
 
 creaft. 
 
 434- 
 
 leane on (leaue) 
 
 666. 
 
 nere (here?) 
 
 143- 
 
 Mujlafla 
 
 496. 
 
 fleept (fteept) 
 
 677. 
 
 pratronefle 
 
 147. 
 
 Neroes (Aferoes) 
 
 509. 
 
 runnages, 
 
 691. 
 
 witth 
 
 152. 
 
 haruingers 
 
 
 (runnagates,) 
 
 723- 
 
 A coma t Viftr, 
 
 171. 
 
 matry (marry) 
 
 510. 
 
 ftates, 
 
 
 (Acomat, Viftr,) 
 
 180. 
 
 (indented) 
 
 511. 
 
 Cherfeo. Go 
 
 73 2 - 
 
 low (now ?) 
 
 242. 
 
 cafe. 
 
 
 (Cherfeoli, go 
 
 735- 
 
 fuquidrie 
 
 265. 
 
 him. (it.) 
 
 
 not indented) 
 
 vi 
 
 
 (furquidrie ?)
 
 737- 
 773- 
 
 7 8 4 . 
 
 785. 
 789. 
 792. 
 808. 
 810. 
 
 813. 
 825. 
 
 834. 
 
 851. 
 
 869. 
 
 941. 
 
 964. 
 
 968. 
 1009. 
 1070. 
 1101. 
 
 "37- 
 
 1 165. 
 
 1181. 
 1 186. 
 1 189. 
 
 JI 93- 
 
 1216. 
 1230. 
 1257. 
 1263. 
 
 1274. 
 1296. 
 1297. 
 1298. 
 1306. 
 1316. 
 
 ^^ 
 1324. 
 
 i3 2 5. 
 
 1346. 
 
 Cytheree. 
 {indented) 
 obedience 
 (difobedience?) 
 beft: 
 Baaizets 
 By (But) 
 will (wile) 
 ftedfaft (*.*. 
 
 stedfast'st) 
 he (he'll?) 
 fare (fear) 
 Ar (Or) 
 Daniocles 
 vnreafonables 
 peere, (peeres,) 
 Regian. 
 mefTenger. 
 Shall (To?) 
 Lord (Lords) 
 refiftance 
 to (vnto?) 
 parley (parley.) 
 uiy 
 
 thy (his?) 
 mote (more) 
 Mahomet 
 
 (Acomat) 
 curfe : 
 
 Ron. (Zon.) 
 bodie (bodies) 
 tomblack (i.e. 
 
 tomb-black) 
 fay: (fays:?) 
 torne. 
 
 difobedience. 
 feed. 
 
 compande, 
 men. 
 Erymnies 
 endue (endure) 
 thy fifter (his 
 
 fifter) 
 fouldieis 
 
 1365. honours 
 
 (earers ?) 
 138 1. bewitcyes 
 1420. Anthropomphagi, 
 1427. vnpuifhed, 
 1432. Fmperour 
 1450. mine (raine) 
 
 fhew'r (*.*. fhower) 
 1466. Acomot 
 1469. keeling 
 1480. Puld(Pull?) 
 1493. focut(fotocut) 
 1 53 1. (indented) 
 
 1634. Then (When?) 
 
 1635. that (the?) 
 1697. Auicemaes 
 1754. incage(inacage?) 
 1756. am. (am now.?) 
 1 771 . rages (raging?) 
 1773. flaming 
 
 ({laming?) 
 1776. leaud...ftirreth 
 (i.e. lewd . . . steereth) 
 1780. vales (rules?) 
 1787. chrillant 
 
 (thrillant ?) 
 fteele (fteele.) 
 1790. tell (tells) 
 1809. hall. 
 
 181 o. fleepe, (fteepe,) 
 1829. For 
 1876. dies (dies.) 
 1915. And (To?) 
 1922. companie 
 
 (companies?) 
 1958. Bull, (speech 
 
 should run on) 
 1996. Mujlajfa 
 
 (Baiazet) 
 2002. mortarie. (i.e. 
 
 mortuary.) 
 20l8. earth 
 2061. Ampharaus 
 
 (Amphiaraus) 
 
 vii 
 
 2070. it is muft 
 2073-4. (a blank) 
 2077. to (from?) 
 2099. Diademe. 
 2137. Coreut 
 2141. pleafe (peafe?) 
 2147. Butis(Itisbut?) 
 2186. foule (foules) 
 2231. hane 
 2248,2253,2268,2402. 
 Alinda (Aladin) 
 2254. them, (him,?) 
 2272. leflbn 
 2291. Ianizars 
 
 (Ianizaries ?) 
 2315. coul'ft 
 2318. after Hue (Hue 
 after or after-liue?) 
 2335. die. 
 2358. Ianizaries. 
 2367. Soliynal 
 
 (So lima ,) 
 
 2369. maflacresj 
 
 2370. blood. 
 
 2386. refiiftance 
 
 2387. Seli y 
 
 2396. though brau'd 
 (though you brau'd) 
 
 2397. Amanonian 
 
 (Amazonian) 
 2413. ftir (i.e. steer) 
 2421. buganets, 
 
 (burganets, ?) 
 2424. Heape(Heapt?) 
 2430. Ianizaties, 
 2431- VijJ-r,(Vifir,) 
 2439. Scythia 
 
 (Scythian ?) 
 2463. Exit (Enter) 
 2467. Selimus. 
 2469. their fwords. 
 
 (his fword.?) 
 2485. Perfians. 
 2487. balles, (bulles,)
 
 2488. 
 2489. 
 
 pawes. 
 adamantiue 
 
 2501-2. (lacuna?) 
 2519. ouerpaft. 
 
 2494- 
 2492. 
 
 lanizaries. 
 Hebras 
 (Hebrus) 
 
 2521. -garden (-guarded 
 or possibly -guarden ?) 
 2538. Baiazet. 
 
 2542. trees. 
 
 2553- greatly (gently) 
 
 2560. trinmphant 
 
 2562. their (his) 
 
 The conjectural readings in 11. 666, 1365, 1786, are from Grosart's 
 editions. The text contains a rather unusually large number of roman 
 capitals to italic words. The printer seems also to have been short of 
 italic z. In two cases (11. 2128, 2277) we actually find the form ' Baiazet.' 
 The signature C 3 is misprinted A 3. 
 
 List of Characters, 
 
 in order of entrance. 
 
 followers of 
 Selimus. 
 
 Bajazet, Emperor of the Turks. 
 Mustaffa, his son-in-law. 
 Cherseoli, follower of Bajazet. 
 two Messengers from Selimus. 
 Selimus, son to Bajazet, Soldan of 
 
 Trebizond. 
 Sinam Bassa 
 Ottrante 
 occhiali 
 Acomat, son to Bajazet, Soldan of 
 
 Amasia. 
 
 his Vizir. 
 
 Regan, follower of Acomat. 
 
 Cali Bassa ) . f r>   
 
 tt t> r courtiers or Baiazet. 
 
 Hali Bassa J J 
 
 a Messenger from Corcut. 
 
 Mahomet, grandson of Bajazet, 
 
 Prince of Natolia. 
 
 Janissaries, soldi 
 
 The Belierbey of Natolia. 
 Zonara, sister to Mahomet. 
 Aga, follower of Bajazet. 
 Abraham, a Jew. 
 Bullithrumble, a shepherd. 
 Corcut, son to Bajazet, Soldan of 
 
 Magnesia, 
 his Page. 
 Solima, daughter to Bajazet and 
 
 wife to Mustaffa. 
 Aladin 
 Amurath, or - sons to Acomat. 
 
 Murath 
 
 j 
 
 a Messenger from Mustaffa. 
 Tonombey, son to the Soldan of 
 
 Egypt, ally of Acomat. 
 The Queen of Amasia, wife to 
 
 Acomat. 
 
 ers, messenger. 
 
 The spelling of several names varies. Selimus is often called Selim 
 (sometimes misprinted Selmi), Tonombey appears as Tonombeius, and 
 Aladin's name is persistently misprinted Alinda. The form Murath 
 appears for Amurath in 1. 2234. Similarly we have Natalia in 11. 15 16, 
 2495, and Natolia elsewhere ; Churlu in 1. 2280, and Chiurlu in 
 11. 2163-5. Bassa is, of course, a form of Bashaw, the modern Pasha. 
 
 Vlll
 
 Firfr. 
 
 THE 
 
 f the Ti 
 
 pare or me i ra* 
 
 gicall raigneorScIimiiSjfbmctimc Empe- 
 
 rour of the Tuikes,and grandfather to him 
 that now rai^ncth. 
 
 Wherein is fhowne how hee moil vnnaturally 
 
 raifed warrcs againQ his ownc father JB*M**t 9 and pr> 
 
 Bailing therein , in the end caufed him to 
 
 be poyfoned: 
 
 Alfo with the murthcring of his two brethren 
 
 Cerent, and Ammtt. 
 
 As it was playd by the Queencs Maicftie8 
 Players. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Printed by Thomas Crecdc , dwelling in Thames 
 
 ftrecte ac the fignc of the Kathren wheele, 
 
 ncare the olde S wannc. 
 
 1 JPf 
 
 A a recto (C. 54. b. 4.?)
 
 THE FIRST PART OF THE 
 
 mofl tyrannicall Tragedie and raigne of Sclimus, 
 
 Emperour of the Turkcs, and grandfather to hina 
 
 that now raigneth. 
 
 Enter Baiazet Emferottr c/Z"«rfyV,Muftafra, Cherfcoly, 
 
 And the lannifarics. 
 
   
 
 Baiazet . 
 
 LEaue mc my Lords vntill I call you fborth, 
 For I am heauic and difconiblatc. 
 Exemt all but Baiazet, 
 
 So Ba'ta ze r,no w thou Tcmainft: alone, 
 Vnrip the thoughts that harbour in thy breft, 
 And eate thee vp,fbr arbiter heres none, 
 That may difcrie the caufe of thy vnrcft, 
 Vnleffe thefe walles thy fecrct thoughts declare, 
 And Princes walles they fay,vnfaithfull arc. . 
 Why thats the profit ofgrcat regiment, 
 That all of vs are fubiecl vnto feares, 
 And this vaine flicw and glorious intent, 
 Priuic fufpition on each fcruplc reares, 
 I,though on all the world we iroke extent, 
 From the South-pole vnto the Northren beares, > 
 And frretch our raign from Had to Weflern ihore, 
 Yet doubt and care arc with vs cuermore. 
 Looke how the earth clad in her fommers pride, 
 Embroydereth her mantle gorgioufly, 
 With fragrant hcarbes,and tiowers gaily dide, 
 
 A 3 Spreading 
 
 A } RECTO
 
 orSeihiHis,Emperour oi theTurkes. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 Thushaue we brought victorious Selimus, 
 Vnto the G owne of great Arabia : 
 Nextflinll you fee him with trinmphantfword, 
 Diuiding kingdomes into equall f] nrres, 
 Ar.d giuc them to their warlike followers. 
 It this firfl: part Gcntles,do like you well, 
 The /econdparr, iliall greater murthers tell. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 K 3 RECTO
 
 TRAGEDY 
 
 selTmvs 
 
 Empcrour of the Turtles. 
 
 Writt e n r. G. 
 
 LONDO N: 
 Printed for lohn Crooks and Richard Serger 
 and arc to be fold at their fhop 
 in Ptuh Church-yard at 
 thefigneofthe Grey- 
 Hound. 1638. 
 
 TrTLE-PAGE OF 1 63 8 (BoDL.)
 
 FACSIMILES BY HORACE HART, M.A., AT THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
 
 THE 
 
 Firft part of the Tra= 
 
 gicall raigne of Selimus, fometime Empe- 
 
 rour of the Turkes, and grandfather to him 
 that now raigneth. 
 
 Wherein is fhowne how hee moft vnnaturally 
 
 raifed warres againft his owne father Baiazet, and pre- 
 
 uailing therein, in the end caufed him to 
 
 be poyfoned : 
 
 Alfo with the murthering of his two brethren, 
 Comity and Acomat. 
 
 As it was playd by the Queenes Maiefties 
 Players. 
 
 LONDON 
 Printed by Thomas Creede,dwelling in Thames 
 
 ftreete at the figne of the Kathren wheele , 
 
 neare the olde Swanne. 
 
 1 5 94-
 
 Prologue. 
 
 No fained toy nor forged Tragedie, 
 Gentles we here prejent vnto your view. 
 But a moji lamentable hiftorie 
 Which this laft age acknowledgeth for true. 
 Here fhall you fee the wicked ' Jonne purfue 
 His wretched father with remorflejfe Jpight . 
 And danted once, his force againe renue, 
 Poyfon his father, kill his friends in fight. 
 10 You fhall behold him character in bloud, 
 The image of an vnplacable King: 
 And like ajea or high ref urging floud, 
 All obfiant lets, downe with his fury fling. 
 Which if with patience of you fhalbe heard, 
 We haue the greatefl part of our reward. 
 
 Exit.
 
 THE FIRST PART OF THE 
 
 mofltyrannicallTragedieandraigneofSelimus, 
 
 Emperour of the Turkes, and grandfather to him 
 that now raigneth. 
 
 Enter Baiazet Emperour of Turkie, Muftaffa, Cherfeoly, . 
 
 and the Iannifaries. 
 
 Baiazet. 
 
 LEaue me my Lords vntill I call you foorth, 
 For I am heauie and difconfolate. 
 Exeunt all but Baiazet. 
 So Baiazet, now thou remainft alone, 
 Vnrip the thoughts that harbour in thy breft, 
 And eate thee vp, for arbiter heres none, 
 
 That may difcrie the caufe of thy vnreft, 10 
 
 VnlefTe thefe walles thy fecret thoughts declare, 
 And Princes walles they fay, vnfaithfull are. 
 Why thats the profit of great regiment, 
 That all of vs are fubiect vnto feares, 
 And this vaine mew and glorious intent, 
 Priuie fufpition on each fcruple reares, 
 I, though on all the world we make extent, 
 From the South-pole vnto the Northren beares, 
 And ftretch our raign from Eaft to Weftern more, 
 Yet doubt and care are with vs euermore. 20 
 
 Looke how the earth clad in her fommers pride, 
 Embroydereth her mantle gorgioufly, 
 With fragrant hearbes, and flowers gaily dide, 
 
 A 3 Spreading
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Spreading abroad her fpangled Tapiftrie : 
 
 Yet vnder all a loathfome fnake doth hide. 
 
 Such is our life, vnder Crownes, cares do lie, 
 
 And feare the fcepter ftill attends vpon, 
 
 Oh who can take delight in kingly throne ? 
 
 Publike diforders ioyn'd with priuate carke, 
 30 Care of our friends, and of our children deare, 
 
 Do toffe our Hues, as waues a filly barke. 
 
 Though we be feareleffe, tis not without feare, 
 
 For hidden mifchiefe lurketh in the darke : 
 
 And ftormes may fall, be the day nere fo cleare. 
 
 He knowes not what it is to be a King, 
 
 That thinks a fcepter is a pleafant thing. 
 
 Twice fifteene times hath faire Latonaes fonne 
 
 Walked about the world with his great light : 
 
 Since I began, would I had nere begunne 
 40 To fway this fcepter. Many a carefull night 
 
 When Cynthia in haft to bed did runne. 
 
 Haue I with watching vext my aged fpright ? 
 
 Since when what dangers I haue ouerpaft, 
 
 Would make a heart of adamant agaft. 
 
 The Perfian Sophi mightie Ifmaell^ 
 
 Tooke the Leuante cleane away from mee, 
 
 And Caraguis Bajfa fent his force to quell, 
 
 Was kild himfelfe the while his men did flee. 
 
 Poore Halt Bajfa hauing once fped well, 
 50 And gaind of him a bloodie victorie, 
 
 Was at the laft flaine fighting in the field, 
 
 Charactering honor in his batt'red Ihield. 
 
 Ramirchan the Tartarian Emperour, 
 
 Gathering to him a number numberleffe, 
 
 Of bigbond Tartars in a haplefle houre 
 
 Encountred me, and there my chiefeft blefTe 
 
 Good Alemjhae (ah this remembrance foure) 
 
 Was flaine the more t'augment my fad diftrefie, 
 In leefing Alemjhae poore, I loft more 
 
 Then
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Then euer I had gained theretofore. 60 
 
 Well may thy foule reft in her lateft graue, 
 
 Sweete Alemjhae the comfort of my dayes, 
 
 That thou might'ft Hue, how often did I craue ? 
 
 How often did I bootleffe praiers raife 
 
 To that high power that life firft to thee gaue ? 
 
 Truftie waft thou to me at all afTaies, 
 
 And deereft child thy father oft hath cride, 
 
 That thou hadft liu'd, fo he himfelfe had dide. 
 
 The Chriftian Armies, oftentimes defeated 
 
 By my victorious fathers valiance, 70 
 
 Haue all my Captaines famoufly confronted, 
 
 And crackt in two our vncontrolled lance. 
 
 My ftrongeft garrifons they haue fupplanted, 
 
 And ouerwhelmed me in fad mifchance : 
 
 And my decreafe fo long wrought their increafe, 
 
 Till I was forc'd conclude a friendly peace. 
 
 Now all thefe are but forraine dammages, 
 
 Taken in warre whofe die vncertaine is, 
 
 But I mall haue more home-borne outrages, 
 
 VnlefTe my diuination aimes amiffe : 80 
 
 I haue three fonnes all of vnequall ages, 
 
 And all in diuerfe ftudies fet their bliiTe. 
 
 Corcut my eldeft a Philofopher, 
 
 Acomat pompous, Selmi a warriour. 
 
 Corcut in faire Magnefia leades his life, 
 
 In learning Arts, and Mahounds dreaded lawes : 
 
 Acomat loues to court it with his wife, 
 
 And in a pleafant quiet ioyes to paufe : 
 
 But Selmi followes warres in difmall ftrife, 
 
 And fnatcheth at my Crowne with greedy clawes : 90 
 
 But he mall miffe of that he aimeth at, 
 
 For I referue it for my Acomat. 
 
 For Acomat} AlafTe it cannot be, 
 
 Stearne Selimus hath wonne my peoples hart, 
 
 The Ianiflaries loue him more then me : 
 
 And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And for his caufe will differ any fmart. 
 
 They fee he is a friend to chiualrie, 
 
 And fooner will they from my faith depart, 
 
 And by ftrong hand Baiazet pull thee downe, 
 ioo Then let their Selmi hop without the Crowne. 
 
 Ah, if the fouldiers ouerrule thy ftate, 
 
 And nothing muft be done without their will, 
 
 If euery bafe and vpftart runnagate 
 
 Shall croffe a Prince and ouerthwart him ftill. 
 
 If Cor cut) SelimuSy and Acomat, 
 
 With crowns and kingdoms fhal their hungers fill ? 
 
 Poore Baiazet what then remaines to thee? 
 
 But the bare title of thy dignitie. 
 
 I, and vnlefTe thou do difTemble all, 
 i io And winke at Selimus afpiring thought : 
 
 The BaJJaes cruelly mall worke thy fall, 
 
 And then thy Empire is but deerly bought. 
 
 Ah that our fonnes thus to ambition thrall, 
 
 Should fet the law of Nature all at nought. 
 
 But what muft be, cannot chufe but be done, 
 
 Come Bajfaes enter, Baiazet hath done. 
 Enters againe. 
 Cherfeoli. Dread Emperour, long may you happie Hue, 
 
 Lou'd of your fubiects,and feard of your foes: 
 120 We wonder much what doth your highneffe grieue, 
 
 That you will not vnto your Lords difclofe. 
 
 Perhaps you feare leaft we your loyall Peeres, 
 
 Would prooue difloyall to your Maieftie, 
 
 And be rebellious in your dying yeeres. 
 
 But mightie Prince the heauens can teftifie, 
 
 How dearly we efteeme your fafetie. 
 
 Muflaf. Perhaps you thinke Mujiaffa wil reuolt 
 
 And leaue your grace, and cleaue to Selimus, 
 
 But fooner fhall th'almighties thunderbolt 
 130 Strike me downe to the caue tenebrious 
 
 The loweft land, and damned fpirits holt 
 
 Then
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Then true Muftaffa prooue fo treacherous: 
 
 Your Maieftie then needs not much to feare, 
 
 Since you are lou'd of fubiect, Prince, and Peere. 
 
 Firft mall the Sunne rife from the Occident, 
 
 And loofe his fteeds benighted in the Eaft, 
 
 Firft mall the fea become the continent, 
 
 Ere we forfake our foueraignes beheaft: 
 
 We fought not for you gainft Perfians Tent, 
 
 Breaking our Launces on his fturdie creaft. 140 
 
 We fought not for you gainft the Chriftian hoaft, 
 
 To become traytors after all our coft. 
 
 Baia. Heare me Muftafla and Cherfeoli> 
 I am a father of a headftrong brood, 
 Which if I looke not clofely to my felfe, 
 Will feeke to ruinate their fathers ftate, 
 Euen as the vipers in great Neroes fenne, 
 Eate vp the belly that firft nourifh'd them. 
 You fee the harueft of my life is paft, 
 
 And aged winter hath befprent my head, 150 
 
 With a hoare froft of filuer coloured haires, 
 The haruingers of honourable eld, 
 
 Thefe branchlike vaines which once did guide my armes 
 To toffe the fpeare in battellous array, 
 Now withered vp, haue loft their former ftrength : 
 My fonnes whom now ambition ginnes to pricke, 
 May take occafion of my weakned age, 
 And rife in rebell armes againft my ftate. 
 But ftaie, here comes a MefTenger to vs. 
 
 Sound within. Enters a MefTenger. 160 
 
 Mejfen. Health and good hap to Baiazet, 
 The great commander of all AJia, 
 Selmi the Soldane of great Trebifond, 
 Sends me vnto your grace, to fignifie 
 His alliance with the King of Tartary. 
 
 Baia. Said I not Lords as much to you before, 
 That mine own fonnes would feek my ouerthrow? 
 
 B And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And fee here comes a lucklefle mefTenger, 
 To prooue that true, which my mind did foretell. 
 1 7° Does Selim make fo fmall account of vs, 
 That he dare matry without our confent, 
 And to that diuell too of Tartarie ? 
 And could he then vnkind, fo foone forget 
 The iniuries that Ramir did to me, 
 Thus to confort himfelfe with him gainft me? 
 
 Cherfe. Your maieftie mifconfters Selimus, 
 It cannot be that he in whofe high thoughts 
 A map of many valures is enfhrin'd, 
 Should feeke his fatbits ruine and decay. 
 1 80 Selimus is a Prince of forward hope, 
 Whofe onely name affrights your enemies, 
 It cannot be he mould prooue falfe to you. 
 
 Baia. Can it not be ? Oh yes Cherfeoli, 
 For Selimus hands do itch to haue the Crowne, 
 And he wil haue it, or elfe pull me downe. 
 Is he a Prince? ah no he is a fea, 
 Into which runne nought but ambitious reaches, 
 Seditious complots, murther, fraud, and hate. 
 Could he not let his father know his mind, 
 190 But match himfelfe when I leaft thought on it? 
 
 Mujl. Perhaps my Lord Selimus lou'd the dame, 
 And feard to certifie you of his loue, 
 Becaufe her father was your enemie. 
 
 Baia. In loue Mustaffa, Selimus in loue? 
 If he be, Lording, tis not Ladies loue, 
 But loue of rule, and kingly foueraigntie. 
 For wherefore mould he feare t'aske my confent ? 
 Truftie Muftaffa> if he had feard me, 
 He neuer would haue lou'd mine enemie. 
 200 But this his marriage with the Tartars daughter, 
 Is but the prologue to his crueltie, 
 And quickly mall we haue the Tragedie. 
 Which though he act with meditated brauerie, 
 
 The
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 The world will neuer giue him plauditie. 
 What yet more newes ? 
 
 Sound within. Enters another MefTenger. 
 
 Mejf. Dread Emperour, Selimus is at hand, 
 Two hundreth thoufand ftrong Tartarians 
 Armed at all points dooes he lead with him, 
 Befides his followers from Trebifond. 210 
 
 Baia. I thought fo much of wicked Selimus> 
 Oh forlorne hopes and hapleffe Baiazet. 
 Is dutie then exiled from his breft, 
 Which nature hath infcrib'd with golden pen, 
 Deepe in the hearts of honourable men ? 
 Ah Selim, Selim, wert thou not my fonne, 
 But fome ftrange vnacquainted forreiner, 
 Whom I mould honour as I honour'd thee : 
 Yet would it greeue me euen vnto the death, 
 If he mould deale as thou haft dealt with me. zio 
 
 And thou my fonne to whom I freely gaue 
 The mightie Empire of great Trebifond^ 
 Art too vnnaturall to requite me thus, 
 Good Alemjhae hadft thou liu'd till this day, 
 Thou wouldft haue blufhed at thy brothers mind. 
 Come fweete Mujiaffa, come Cberfeoli, 
 And with fome good aduice recomfort me. 
 
 Exeunt. All. 
 
 Enter Selimus^ Sinam Bajfa, Otrante, Occhialie y Sc. it 
 
 and the fouldiers. 
 Seli. Now Selimus confider who thou art, 231 
 
 Long haft thou marched in diiguif 'd attire, 
 But now vnmaske thy felfe, and play thy part, 
 And manifeft the heate of thy defire: 
 Nourifh the coales of thine ambitious fire. 
 And thinke that then thy Empire is moft fure, 
 When men for feare thy tyrannie endure. 
 Thinke that to thee there is no worfe reproach, 
 
 B 2 Then
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Then filiall dutie in fo high a place, 
 240 Thou oughtft to fet barrels of blood abroach, 
 
 And feeke with fwoord whole kingdomes to difplace, 
 
 Let Mahounds lawes be lockt vp in their cafe. 
 
 And meaner men and of a bafer fpirit, 
 
 In vertuous actions feeke for glorious merit. 
 
 I count it facriledge, for to be holy, 
 
 Or reuerence this thred-bare name of good, 
 
 Leaue to old men and babes that kind of follie, 
 
 Count it of equall value with the mud : 
 
 Make thou a pafTage for thy gufhing floud, 
 250 By flaughter, treafon, or what elfe thou can, 
 
 And fcorne religion, it difgraces man. 
 
 My father Baiazet is weake and old, 
 
 And hath not much aboue two yeares to Hue, 
 
 The Turkifh Crowne of Pearle and Ophir gold, 
 
 He meanes to his deare Acomat to giue. 
 
 But ere his mip can to her hauen driue, 
 
 He fend abroad my tempefts in fuch fort, 
 
 That me mall finke before (he get the port. 
 
 AlafTe, alaffe, his highnefTe aged head 
 260 Is not fufficient to fupport a Crowne, 
 
 Then Selimus take thou it in his fteed, 
 
 And if at this thy boldneffe he dare frowne, 
 
 Or but refift thy will, then pull him downe : 
 
 For fince he hath fo fhort a time t'enioy it, 
 
 He make it fhorter, or I will deftroy him. 
 
 Nor paffe I what our holy votaries 
 
 Shall here obiect againft my forward minde, 
 
 I wreake not of their foolifh ceremonies, 
 
 But meane to take my fortune as I finde, 
 270 Wifedome commands to follow tide and winde : 
 
 And catch the front of fwift occafion, 
 
 Before fhe be too quickly ouergone : 
 
 Some man will fay I am too impious, 
 
 Thus to laie fiege againft my fathers life, 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And that I ought to follow vertuous 
 And godly fonnes : that vertue is a glafle 
 Wherein I may my errant life behold, 
 And frame my felfe by it in auncient mould. 
 Good fir, your wifedomes ouerflowing wit, 
 
 Digs deepe with learnings wonder-working fpade: 280 
 
 Perhaps you thinke that now forfooth you fit 
 With fome graue wifard in a pratling made. 
 Auant fuch glaffes : let them view in me, 
 The perfect picture of right tyrannic 
 I like a Lions looke not worth a leeke, 
 When euery dog depriues him of his pray : 
 Thefe honeft termes are farre inough to feeke. 
 When angry Fortune menaceth decay, 
 My refolution treads a nearer way. 
 
 Giue me the heart confpiring with the hand, 290 
 
 In fuch a caufe my father to withftand. 
 Is he my father? why I am his fonne: 
 I owe no more to him then he to me, 
 If he proceed as he hath now begunne, 
 And pafTe from me the Turkifh Seigniorie, 
 To Acomat^ then Selimus is free : 
 And if he iniure me that am his fonne, 
 Faith all the loue twixt him and me is done. 
 But for I fee the fchoolemen are prepard, 
 
 To plant gainft me their bookifh ordinance, 3 00 
 
 I meane to ftand on a fentencious gard : 
 And without any far fetcht circumftance, 
 Quickly vnfold mine owne opinion, 
 To arme my heart with irreligion. 
 When firft this circled round, this building faire, 
 Some God tooke out of the confufed mafie, 
 (What God I do not know, nor greatly care) 
 Then euery man of his owne dition was, 
 And euery one his life in peace did pafTe. 
 
 Warre was not then, and riches were not knowne, 3 10 
 
 B 3 And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And no man faid, this, or this, is mine owne. 
 
 The plough-man with a furrow did not marke 
 
 How farre his great pofTeflions did reach : 
 
 The earth knew not the fhare, nor feas the barke. 
 
 The fouldiers entred not the battred breach, 
 
 Nor Trumpets the tantara loud did teach. 
 
 There needed them no iudge, nor yet no law, 
 
 Nor any King of whom to ftand in awe. 
 
 But after Ninus, warlike Be/us fonne, 
 320 The earth with vnknowne armour did warray, 
 
 Then firft the facred name of King begunne : 
 
 And things that were as common as the day, 
 
 Did then to fet pofleflburs firft obey. 
 
 Then they eftablifht lawes and holy rites, 
 
 To maintaine peace, and gouerne bloodie fights. 
 
 Then fome fage man, aboue the vulgar wife, 
 
 Knowing that lawes could not in quiet dwell, 
 
 VnlefTe they were obferued : did firft deuife 
 
 The names of Gods, religion, heauen, and hell, 
 330 And gan of paines, and faind rewards to tell: 
 
 Paines for thofe men which did neglect the law, 
 
 Rewards, for thofe that liu'd in quiet awe. 
 
 Whereas indeed they were meere fictions, 
 
 And if they were not, Selim thinkes they were: 
 
 And thefe religions obferuations, 
 
 Onely bug-beares to keepe the world in feare, 
 
 And make men quietly a yoake to beare. 
 
 So that religion of it felfe a bable, 
 
 Was onely found to make vs peaceable. 
 340 Hence in efpeciall come the foolifh names, 
 
 Of father, mother, brother, and fuch like : 
 
 For who fo well his cogitation frames, 
 
 Shall finde they ferue but onely for to ftrike 
 
 Into our minds a certaine kind of loue. 
 
 For thefe names too are but a policie, 
 
 To keepe the quiet of focietie. 
 
 Indeed
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Indeed I muft confeffe they are not bad, 
 
 Becaufe they keepe the bafer fort in feare : 
 
 But we, whofe minde in heauenly thoughts is clad, 
 
 Whofe bodie doth a glorious fpirit beare, 350 
 
 That hath no bounds, but flieth euery where. 
 
 Why mould we feeke to make that foule a flaue, 
 
 To which dame Nature fo large freedome gaue. 
 
 Amongft vs men, there is fome difference, 
 
 Of actions tearmed by vs good or ill : 
 
 As he that doth his father recompence, 
 
 Differs from him that doth his father kill. 
 
 And yet I thinke, thinke other what they will, 
 
 That Parricides, when death hath giuen them reft, 
 
 Shall haue as good a part as the reft. 360 
 
 And thats iuft nothing, for as I fuppofe 
 
 In deaths voyd kingdome raignes eternall night: 
 
 Secure of euill, and fecure of foes, 
 
 Where nothing doth the wicked man affright, 
 
 No more then him that dies in doing right. 
 
 Then fince in death nothing fhall to vs fall, 
 
 Here while I Hue, He haue a fnatch at all. 
 
 And that can neuer, neuer be attaind, 
 
 VnlefTe old Baiazet do die the death : 
 
 For long inough the gray-beard now hath raign'd, 370 
 
 And liu'd at eafe, while others liu'd vneath. 
 
 And now its time he fhould refigne his breath. 
 
 T'were good for him if he were preffed out, 
 
 T'would bring him reft, and rid him of his gout. 
 
 Refolu'd to do it, caft to compaffe it 
 
 Without delay or long procraftination : 
 
 It argueth an vnmanured wit, 
 
 When all is readie for fo ftrong inuafion, 
 
 To draw out time, an vnlookt for mutation 
 
 May foone preuent vs if we do delay, 380 
 
 Quick fpeed is good, where vvifedome leades the 
 
 Occbiali ? (way. 
 
 Occbi.
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Occbi. My Lord. 
 
 Sel. Lo flie boy to my father Baiazet, 
 And tell him Selim his obedient fonne, 
 Defires to fpeake with him and kiffe his hands, 
 Tell him I long to fee his gratious face, 
 And that I come with all my chiualrie, 
 To chafe the Christians from his Seigniorie : 
 390 In any wife fay I muft fpeake with him. 
 
 Exit Occhiali. 
 Now Sinam if 1 fpeed. 
 
 Sinam. What then my Lord? 
 
 Sel. What then ? why Sinam thou art nothing woorth, 
 I will endeuour to perfuade him man, 
 To giue the Empire ouer vnto me, 
 Perhaps I mall attaine it at his hands : 
 If I cannot, this right hand is refolu'd, 
 To end the period with a fatall ftabbe. 
 400 Sin. My gratious Lord, giue Sinam leaue to fpeake, 
 If you refolue to worke your fathers death, 
 You venture life : thinke you the Ianiffaries 
 Will fuffer you to kill him in their fight, 
 And let you paffe free without punifhment? 
 
 Sel. If I refolue ? as fure as heauen is heauen, 
 I meane to fee him dead, or my felfe King: 
 As for the BaJJaes they are all my friends, 
 And I am fure would pawne their deareft blood, 
 That Selim might be Emperour of Turkes. 
 410 Sin. Yet Acomut and Cor cut both furuiue, 
 To be reuenged for their fathers death. 
 
 Sel. Sinam if they or twentie fuch as they, 
 Had twentie feuerall Armies in the field, 
 If Selimus were once your Emperour, 
 Ide dart abroad the thunderbolts of warre, 
 And mow their hartlefie fquadrons to the ground. 
 
 Sin. Oh yet my Lord after your highnefle death, 
 There is a hell and a reuenging God. 
 
 Sel. Turn
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Seli. Tufh Sinam thefe are fchoole conditions, 
 To feare the diuell or his curfed damme: 4.20 
 
 Thinkft thou I care for apparitions, 
 Of Sifiphus and of his backward ftone, 
 And poore lxions lamentable mone ? 
 Now I thinke the caue of damned ghoafts, 
 Is but a tale to terrifie yoong babes : 
 Like diuels faces fcor'd on painted poafts, 
 Or fained circles in our aftrolabes. 
 Why theirs no difference when we are dead, 
 And death once come, then all alike are fped. 
 Or if there were, as I can fcarce beleeue, 430 
 
 A heauen of ioy, and hell of endleffe paine : 
 Yet by my foule it neuer mould me greeue : 
 So I might on the Turkifh Empire raigne, 
 To enter hell, and leane on faire heauens gaine. 
 An Empire Sinam, is fo fweete a thing, 
 As I could be a diuell to be a King. 
 But go we Lords and folace in our campe, 
 Till the returne of yoong Occhiali, 
 And if his anfwere be to thy defire, 
 
 Selim thy minde in kingly thoughts attire. 440 
 
 Exeunt. All. 
 
 Enter Baiazet, Mujlaffa, Cherfeoli, Occhiali, and Sc Hi 
 
 the IanifTaries. 
 Baia. Euen as the great ^Egyptian Crocodile, 
 Wanting his praie, with artificial! teares, 
 And fained plaints his fubtill tongue doth file, 
 T'entrap the filly wandring traueller, 
 And moue him to aduance his footing neare, 
 That when he is in danger of his clawes, 
 
 He may deuour him with his famifhed iawes, 450 
 
 So plaieth craftie Selimus with me, 
 His haughtie thoughts ftill wait on Diadems, 
 And not a ftep but treads to maieftie. 
 
 C The
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 The Phoenix gazeth on the Suns bright beames, 
 
 The Echinaeis fwimmes againft the ftreames. 
 
 Nought but the Turkifh fcepter can him pleafe, 
 
 And there I know lieth his chiefe difeafe. 
 
 He fends his meflenger to craue acceffe, 
 
 And faies he longs to kifle my aged hands : 
 + 6o But howfoeuer he in mew profefle, 
 
 His meaning with his words but weakly ftands. 
 
 And fooner will the Syrteis boyling fands, 
 
 Become a quiet roade for fleeting fhippes, 
 
 Then Selimus heart agree with Selims lippes. 
 
 Too well I know the Crocodiles fained teares, 
 
 Are but nettes wherein to catch his pray: 
 
 Which who fo mou'd with foolifh pitie heares, 
 
 Will be the authour of his owne decay. 
 
 Then hie thee Baiazet from hence away : 
 470 A fawning monfter is falfe Selimus^ 
 
 Whofe faireft words are moft pernicious. 
 
 Yoong man, would Selim come and fpeak with vs ? 
 
 What is his mefTage to vs, canft thou tell ? 
 
 Occhi. He craues my Lord, another feigniorie, 
 
 Nearer to you and to the Chriftians, 
 
 That he may make them know, that Selimus 
 
 Is borne to be a fcourge vnto them all. 
 
 Baia. Hee's born to be a fcourge to me & mine, 
 
 He neuer would haue come with fuch an hoaft, 
 480 VnlefTe he meant my ftate to vndermine, 
 
 What though in word he brauely feeme to boaft, 
 
 The forraging of all the Chriftian coaft? 
 
 Yet we haue caufe to feare when burning brands, 
 
 Are vainly giuen into a mad mans hands. 
 
 Well I muft feeme to winke at his defire, 
 
 Although I fee it plainer then the light, 
 
 My lenitie addes fuell to his fire, 
 
 Which now begins to breake in flaming bright, 
 
 Then Baiazet chaftife his ftubborne fpright. 
 
 Leaft
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Leaft thefe fmall fparkles grow to fuch a flame, 49 o 
 
 As mall confume thee and thy houfes name. 
 
 Alaffe I fpare when all my ftore is gone, 
 
 And thruft my fickle where the corne is reapt, 
 
 In vaine I fend for the phifition, 
 
 When on the patient is his graue duft heapt. 
 
 In vaine, now all his veines in venome fleept 
 
 Breake out in blifters that will poyfon vs, 
 
 We feeke to giue him an Antidotus. 
 
 He that will ftop the brooke, muft then begin 
 
 When fommers heate hath dried vp his fpring, 500 
 
 And when his pittering ftreames are low & thin, 
 
 For let the winter aide vnto him bring, 
 
 He growes to be of watry flouds the King. 
 
 And though you dam him vp with loftie rankes, 
 
 Yet will he quickly ouerflow his bankes. 
 
 Meffenger, go and tell yoong Selimus, 
 
 We giue to him all great Samandria, 
 
 Bordring on Bulgrade of Hungaria, 
 
 Where he may plague thofe Chriftian runnages, 
 
 And falue the wounds that they haue giuen our ftates, 510 
 
 Cherfeo. Go and prouide a gift, 
 A royall prefent for my Selimus, 
 And tell him meffenger another time 
 He mall haue talke inough with Baiazet. 
 
 Exeunt Cherfeoli and Occhiali. 
 And now what counfell giues Muftaffa to vs ? 
 I feare this haftie reckoning will vndo vs. 
 
 Muji. Make hafte my Lord from Andrinople walles, 
 And let vs flie to faire Bizantium, 
 
 Leaft if your fonne before you take the towne, 5 2 ° 
 
 He may with little labour winne the crowne. 
 
 Baia. Then do fo good Muftaffa, call our gard, 
 And gather all our warlike Ianifiaries, 
 Our chiefeft ayd is fwift celeritie, 
 Then let our winged courfers tread the winde, 
 
 C 2 And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And leaue rebellious Selimus behinde. 
 
 Exeunt. All. 
 
 Sc. iv Enter Selimus, Sinam, Occhiali, Ottrante, 
 
 and their fouldiers. 
 530 Selitn. And is his anfwere fo Occhiali} 
 
 Is Selitn fuch a corfiue to his heart, 
 
 That he cannot endure the fight of him ? 
 
 Forfooth he giues thee all Samandria, 
 
 From whence our mightie Emperour Mahomet, 
 
 Was driuen to his country backe with fhame. 
 
 No doubt thy father loues thee Selimus, 
 
 To make thee Regent of fo great a land, 
 
 Which is not yet his owne : or if it were, 
 
 What dangers wayt on him that mould it ftere. 
 540 Here the Polonian he comes hurtling in, 
 
 Vnder the conduct of fome forraine prince, 
 
 To fight in honour of his crucifix ! 
 
 Here the Hungarian with his bloodie croffe, 
 
 Deales blowes about to win Belgrade againe. 
 
 And after all, forfooth Bafilius 
 
 The mightie Emperour of Rujfia, 
 
 Sends in his troupes of flaue-borne Mufcouites, 
 
 And he will mare with vs, or elfe take all. 
 
 In giuing fuch a land fo full of ftrife, 
 550 His meaning is to rid me of my life. 
 
 Now by the dreaded name of Termagant, 
 
 And by the blackeft brooke in loathfome hell, 
 
 Since he is fo vnnaturall to me, 
 
 I will prooue as vnnaturall as he. 
 
 Thinks he to flop my mouth with gold or pearle ? 
 
 Or ruftie iades fet from Barbaria ? 
 
 No let his minion his philofopher, 
 
 Corcut and Acomat be enrich'd with them. 
 
 I will not take my reft, till this right hand 
 560 Hath puld the Crowne from off his cowards head, 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And on the ground his baftards gore-blood fhead : 
 
 Nor fhall his flight to old Bizantium, 
 
 Difmay my thoughts which neuer learnd to ftoup. 
 
 March Sinam y march in order after him: 
 
 Were his light fteeds as fwift as Pegafus, 
 
 And trode the ayrie pauement with their heeles, 
 
 Yet Selimus would ouertake them foone. 
 
 And though the heauens do nere fo crofly frowne, 
 
 In fpight of heauen mall Selim weare the crowne. 
 
 Exeunt. 570 
 
 Alarum within. Enter Baiazet, Muftaffa, Cherfeoli and the Sc. v 
 Ianiffaries, at one doore. Selimus, Sinam, Ottrante, Occhia- 
 li, and their fouldiers at another. 
 
 Baia. Is this thy dutie fonne vnto thy father, 
 So impioufly to leuell at his life ? 
 Can thy foule wallowing in ambitious mire, 
 Seeke for to reaue that breft with bloudie knife, 
 From whence thou hadft thy being Selimus? 
 Was this the end for which thou ioyndft thy felfe, 
 With that mifchieuous traytor Ramirchan} 580 
 
 Was this thy drift to fpeake with Baiazet ? 
 Well hoped I (but hope I fee is vaine) 
 Thou wouldft haue bene a comfort to mine age, 
 A fcourge and terrour to mine enemies, 
 That this thy comming with fo great an hoaft, 
 Was for no other purpofe and intent, 
 Then for to chaftife thofe bafe Chriftians 
 Which fpoile my fubiects welth with fire & fword 
 Well hoped I the rule of Trebifond, 
 
 Would haue increafde the valour of thy minde, 590 
 
 To turne thy ftrength vpon thy Perfians. 
 But thou like to a craftie Polipus, 
 Doeft turne thy hungry iawes vpon thy felfe, 
 For what am I Selimus but thy felfe ? 
 
 A 3 When
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 When courage firft crept in thy manly breft, 
 Hnd thou beganft to rule the martiall fword, 
 How oft faid thou the fun fhuld change his courfe, 
 Water mould turn to earth, & earth to heauen, 
 Ere thou wouldft prooue difloyall to thy father. 
 
 600 O Titan turne thy breathleffe courfers backe, 
 And enterprife thy iourny from the Eaft. 
 Blum Selim that the world mould fay of thee, 
 That by my death thou gaindft the Emperie. 
 
 Sell. Now let my caufe be pleaded Baiazet, 
 For father I difdaine to call thee now : 
 I tooke not Armes to feaze vpon thy crowne, 
 For that if once thou hadft bene layd in graue, 
 Should fit vpon the head of Selimus 
 In fpight of Cor cut aud Acomat. 
 
 610 I tooke not Armes to take away thy life, 
 The remnant of thy dayes is but a fpan, 
 And foolim had I bene to enterprize 
 That which the gout and death would do for me. 
 I tooke not armes to fhed my brothers blood, 
 Becaufe they ftop my paflage to the crowne. 
 For while thou liu'ft Selimus is content 
 That they fhuld liue, but when thou once art dead 
 Which of them both dares Selimus withftand? 
 I foone mould hew their bodies in peecemeale, 
 
 620 As eafie as a man would kill a gnat. 
 
 But I tooke armes vnkind to honour thee, 
 
 And winne againe the fame that thou haft loft. 
 
 And thou thoughtft fcorne Selim fhould fpeake with thee. 
 
 But had it bene your darling Acomat^ 
 
 You would haue met him half the way your felfe. 
 
 I am a Prince, and though your yoonger fonne, 
 
 Yet are my merits better then both theirs : 
 
 But you do feeke to difinherit me, 
 
 And meane t'inueft Acomat with your crowne. 
 
 630 So he fhall haue a princes due reward, 
 
 That
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 That cannot fhew a fcarre receiu'd in field, 
 
 We that haue fought with mighty Prejier Iohn, 
 
 And ftript th'^Egyhtian foldan of his camp, 
 
 Venturing life and liuing to honour thee, 
 
 For that fame caufe mall now difhonour'd be. 
 
 Art thou a father ? Nay falfe Baiazet 
 
 Difclaime the title which thou doeft not merit. 
 
 A father would not thus flee from his fonne, 
 
 As thou doeft flie from loyall Selimus. 
 
 A father would not iniure thus his fonne, 640 
 
 As thou doeft iniure loyall Selimus. 
 
 Then Baiazet prepare thee to the fight, 
 
 Selimus once thy fonne, but now thy foe, 
 
 Will make his fortunes by the fword, 
 
 And fince thou fear'ft as long as I do Hue, 
 
 He alfo feare, as long as thou doeft Hue. 
 
 Exit Selim and his company. 
 
 Ba. My heart is ouerwhelm'd with fear & grief, 
 What difmall Comet blazed at my birth, 
 
 Whofe influence makes my ftrong vnbrideled 650 
 
 In fteed of loue to render hate to me ? (fonnes 
 
 Ah Baflaies if that euer heretofore 
 Your Emperour ought his fafetie vnto you, 
 Defend me now gainft my vnnaturall fonne : 
 Non timeo mortem: mortis mihi di/p licet author. 
 
 Exit Baiazet and his company. 
 
 Alarum, Mujiaffa beate Selimus in, then Ottrante Se. tn 
 
 and Cherfeoli enter at diuerfe doores. 
 Cherfe. Yeeld thee Tartarian or thou fhalt die, 
 Vpon my fwords fharpe point ftandeth pale death 660 
 
 Readie to riue in two thy caitiue breft. 
 
 Ott. Art thou that knight that like a lion fierce, 
 Tiring his ftomacke on a flocke of lambes, 
 Haft broke our rankes & put them cleane to flight? 
 
 Cherfe.
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Cherfe. I and vnlefle thou looke vnto thy felfe, 
 This fwoord nere drunke in the Tartarian blood, 
 Shall make thy carkaffe as the outcaft dung. 
 
 Ottran. Nay I haue matcht a brauer knight then you, 
 Strong AlemJJiae thy maifters eldeft fonne, 
 670 Leauing his bodie naked on the plaines, 
 
 And Turke, the felfefame end for thee remaines. 
 They fight. He killeth Cherfeoli^ and flieth. 
 Sc. vii Alarum, enter Selimus. 
 
 Selim. Shall Selirns hope be buried in the duft ? 
 And Baiazet triumph ouer his fall ? 
 Then oh thou blindfull miftreffe of mifhap, 
 Chiefe pratroneffe of Rhamus golden gates, 
 I will aduance my ftrong reuenging hand, 
 And plucke thee from thy euerturning wheele. 
 680 Mars, or Minerua, Mahound, Termagaunt, 
 Or who fo ere you are that fight gainft me, 
 Come and but fhew your felues before my face, 
 And I will rend you all like trembling reedes. 
 Well Baiazet though Fortune fmile on thee, 
 And decke thy campe with glorious victorie, 
 Though Selimus now conquered by thee, 
 Is faine to put his fafetie in fwift flight : 
 Yet fo he flies, that like an angry ramme, 
 689 Heele turne more fiercely then before he came. 
 
 Exit Selimus. 
 Sc. viii Enter Baiazet, Mujlaffa> the fouldier witth the 
 bodie of C/ierfeoli, and Ottrante 
 prifoner. 
 Baia. Thus haue we gaind a bloodie victorie, 
 And though we are the maifters of the field, 
 Yet haue we loft more then our enemies : 
 Ah lucklefTe fault of my Cherfeoli, 
 As deare and dearer wert thou vnto me, 
 Then any of my fonnes, then mine owne felfe. 
 700 When I was glad, thy heart was full of ioy, 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And brauely haft thou died for Baiazet. 
 And though thy bloudleffe bodie here do lie, 
 Yet thy fweet foule in heauen for euer bleft, 
 Among the ftarres enioyes eternall reft. 
 What art thou warlike man of Tartarie, 
 Whofe hap it is to be our prifoner ? 
 
 Ottran. I am a prince, Ottrante is my name, 
 Chiefe captaine of the Tartars mightie hoaft. 
 
 Ba. Ottrante ? Waft not thou that flue my fon ? 
 
 Ottran. I, and if fortune had but fauour'd me, 710 
 
 Had fent the fire to keepe him company. 
 
 Baia. Off with his head and fpoyle him of his Armes, 
 And leaue his bodie for the ayrie birds. 
 
 Exit one with Ottrante. 
 The vnreuenged ghoaft of Alemjhae, 
 Shall now no more wander on Stygian bankes, 
 But reft in quiet in tWElyftan fields. 
 Mufiaffa, and you worthie men at Armes, 
 That left not Baiazet in greateft need, 
 
 When we arriue at Constantines great Tour, 720 
 
 You fhalbe honour'd of your Emperour. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Enter Acomat Vifir, Regan, and a band of Sc. ix 
 
 fouldiers. 
 
 Aco. Perhaps you wonder why prince Acomat, 
 Delighting heretofore in foolifti loue, 
 Hath chang'd his quiet to a fouldiers ftate : 
 And turnd the dulcet tunes of Himens fong, 
 Into Bellonas horrible outcries, 
 
 You thinke it ftrange, that whereas I haue liu'd, 730 
 
 Almoft a votarie to wantonneffe, 
 To fee me low laie off effeminate robes, 
 And arme my bodie in an iron wall. 
 I haue enioyed quiet long inough, 
 And furfeted with pleafures fuquidrie 
 A field of dainties I haue paffed through, 
 
 D And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And bene a champion to faire Cytheree. 
 
 Now fince this idle peace hath weeried me, 
 
 He follow Mars and warre another while, 
 740 And die my fhield in dolorous vermeil. 
 
 My brother Selim through his manly deeds, 
 
 Hath lifted vp his fame vnto the skies, 
 
 While we like earth wormes lurking in the weeds, 
 
 Do Hue inglorious in all mens eyes. 
 
 What lets me then from this vaine (lumber rife, 
 
 And by ftrong hand atchieue eternall glorie, 
 
 That may be talkt of in all memorie ? 
 
 And fee how fortune fauours mine intent, 
 
 Heard you not Lordings, how prince Selimus 
 750 Againft our royall father armed went, 
 
 And how the IanifTaries made him flee 
 
 To Ramir Emperour of Tartarie ? 
 
 This his rebellion greatly profits me, 
 
 For I fhall fooner winne my fathers minde, 
 
 To yeeld me vp the Turki/h Empire, 
 
 Which if I haue, I am fure I fhall finde 
 
 Strong enemies to pull me downe againe, 
 
 That faine would haue prince Selimus to raigne. 
 
 Then ciuill difcord, and contentious warre, 
 760 Will follow Acomats coronation. 
 
 Selim no doubt will broach feditious iarre, 
 
 And Corcut too will feeke for alteration, 
 
 Now to preuent all fuddaine perturbation, 
 
 We thought it good to mufter vp our power, 
 
 That danger may not take it vnprouided. 
 Vifir. I like your highneffe refolution well, 
 
 For thefe mould be the chiefe arts of a king, 
 
 To punifh thofe that furioufly rebell, 
 
 And honour thofe that facred counfell bring, 
 770 To make good lawes, ill cuftomes to expell : 
 
 To nourifh peace from whence your riches fpring, 
 
 And when good quarrels call you to the field, 
 
 T'excell
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 T'excell your men in handling fpeare & fhield. 
 Thus mail the glory of your matchlefle name, 
 Be regiftred vp in immortall lines : 
 Whereas that prince that followes luftfull game, 
 And to fond toyes his captiue minde enclines, 
 Shall neuer parte the temple of true fame, 
 Whofe worth is greater then the Indian mines. 
 But is your grace aflured certainly 780 
 
 That Baiazet doth fauour your requeft ? 
 Perhaps you may make him your enemie, 
 You know how much your father doth deteft, 
 Stout obedience and obftinacie. 
 I fpeake not this as if I thought it beft : 
 Your highnefTe mould your right in it neglect, 
 But that you might be clofe and circumfpect. 
 
 Acq. We thanke thee Vifir for thy louing care, 
 As for my father Baaizets affection, 
 
 Vnlefle his holy vowes forgotten are, 790 
 
 I fhall be fure of it by his election. 
 By after Acomats erection, 
 We muft forecaft what things be neceffary, 
 Leaft that our kingdome be too momentary. 
 
 Reg. Firft let my Lord be feated in his throne, 
 Enftalled by great Baiazets confent, 
 As yet your harueft is not fully growne, 
 But in the greene and vnripe blade is pent: 
 But when you once haue got the regiment, 
 Then may your Lords more eafily prouide, 800 
 
 Againft all accidents that may betide. 
 
 Acomat. Then fet we forward to Bizantium, 
 That we may know what Baiazet intends. 
 Aduife thee Acomat, whats beft to do, 
 The IanifTaries fauour Selimus, 
 And they are ftrong vndanted enemies, 
 Which will in Armes gainft thy election rife. 
 Then will them to thy wil with precious gifts, 
 
 D 2 And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And ftore of gold: timely largition 
 810 The ftedfaft perfons from their purpofe lifts: 
 
 But then beware leaft Baiazets affection 
 
 Change into hatred by fuch premunition. 
 
 For then he thinke that I am factious, 
 
 And imitate my brother Selimus. 
 
 Befides, a prince his honour doth debafe, 
 
 That begs the common fouldiers fuffrages, 
 
 And if the BafTaes knew I fought their grace, 
 
 It would the more increafe their infolentneffe. 
 
 To refift them were ouerhardinefTe, 
 820 And worfe it were to leaue my enterprize. 
 
 Well how fo ere, refolue to venture it, 
 
 Fortune doth fauour euery bold affay, 
 
 And t'were a trick of an vnfetled wit 
 
 Becaufe the bees haue ftings with them alway, 
 
 To fare our mouthes in honie to embay. 
 
 Then refolution for me leades the dance, 
 827 And thus refolu'd, I meane to trie my chance. 
 
 Exeunt all. 
 
 Sc x Enter Baiazet, Muftaffa, Calibajfay Halibajfa, 
 
 and the IanifTaries. 
 Baia. What prince fo ere, trufts to his mightie pow'r, 
 Ruling the reines of many nations, 
 And feareth not leaft fickle fortune loure, 
 Ar thinkes his kingdome free from alterations, 
 If he were in the place of Baiazet, 
 He would but litle by his fcepter fet. 
 For what hath rule that makes it acceptable, 
 Rather what hath it not worthie of hate : 
 Firft of all is our ftate ftill mutable, 
 840 And our continuance at the peoples rate, 
 So that it is a flender thred, whereon 
 Depends the honour of a princes throne. 
 Then do we feare, more then the child new borne, 
 
 Our
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Our friends, our Lords, our fubiects, & our fonnes. 
 
 Thus is our minde in fundry pieces torne 
 
 By care, by feare, fufpition, and diftruft, 
 
 In wine, in meate we feare pernicious poyfon, 
 
 At home, abroad, we feare feditious treafon. 
 
 Too true that tyrant Dionyfius 
 
 Did picture out the image of a King, 850 
 
 When Daniocles was placed in his throne, 
 
 And ore his head a threatning fword did hang, 
 
 Faftned vp onely by a horfes haire. 
 
 Our chiefeft truft is fecretly diftruft, 
 
 For whom haue we whom we may fafely truft, 
 
 If our owne fonnes, neglecting awfull dutie, 
 
 Rife vp in Armes againft their louing fathers. 
 
 Their heart is all of hardeft marble wrought, 
 
 That can laie wayt to take away their breath, 
 
 From whom they firft fucked this vitall ayre. 860 
 
 My heart is heauie, and I needs muft fleepe. 
 
 Bajfaes withdraw your felues from me awhile, 
 
 That I may reft my ouerburdned foule. 
 
 They ftand afide while the curtins are drawne. 
 Eunuchs plaie me fome muficke while I fleepe. 
 Muficke within. 
 
 Muft. Good Baiazety who would not pitie thee, 
 Whom thine owne fonne fo vildly perfecutes. 
 More mildly do th'vnreafonables beafts 
 Deale with their dammes, then Selimus with thee. 870 
 
 Halibqf. Muftaffa we are princes of the land, 
 And loue our Emperour as well as thou : 
 Yet will we not for pitying his eftate, 
 Suffer our foes our wealth to ruinate. 
 If Selim haue playd falfe with Baiazet, 
 And ouerflipt the dutie of a fonne, 
 Why he was mou'd by iuft occafion. 
 Did he not humbly fend his meffenger 
 To craue acceffe vnto his maieftie? 
 
 D3 And
 
 The iirft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 880 And yet he could not get permiflion 
 
 To kifle his hands, and fpeake his mind to him. 
 
 Perhaps he thought his aged fathers loue 
 
 Was cleane eftrang'd from him : and Acomat 
 
 Should reape the fruite that he had laboured for. 
 
 Tis lawfull for the father to take Armes, 
 
 I and by death chaftize his rebell fonne. 
 
 Why mould it be vnlawfull for the fonne, 
 
 To leauie Armes gainft his iniurious fire? 
 Mujl. You reafon Hali like a fophifter. 
 890 As if t'were lawfull for a fubiect prince 
 
 To rife in Armes gainft his foueraigne, 
 
 Becaufe he will not let him haue his will : 
 
 Much lefle ift lawfull for a mans owne fonne. 
 
 If Baiazet had iniur'd Selimus^ 
 
 Or fought his death, or done him fome abufe, 
 
 Then Selimus caufe had bene more tollerable. 
 
 But Baiazet did neuer iniure him, 
 
 Nor fought his death, nor once abufed him, 
 
 Vnlefle becaufe he giues him not the crowne, 
 900 Being the yoongeft of his highnerTe fonnes. 
 
 Gaue he not him an Empire for his part, 
 
 The mightie Empire of great Trebifond} 
 
 So that if all things rightly be obferu'd, 
 
 Selim had more then euer he deferu'd. 
 
 1 fpeake not this becaufe I hate the prince, 
 
 For by the heauens I loue yoong Selimus^ 
 
 Better then either of his brethren. 
 
 But for I owe alleagiance to my king, 
 
 And loue him much that fauours me fo much. 
 910 Muftaffa, while old Baiazet doth Hue, 
 
 Will be as true to him as to himfelfe. 
 
 Cali. Why braue Mustajfa, Hali and my felfe 
 
 Were neuer falfe vnto his maieftie. 
 
 Our father Hali died in the field, 
 
 Againft the Sopbi, in his highneffe warres. 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And we will neuer be degenerate. 
 
 Nor do we take part with prince Selimus , 
 
 Becaufe we would depofe old Baiazet, 
 
 But for becaufe we would not Acomat 
 
 That leads his life ftill in lafciuious pompe, 920 
 
 Nor Corcuty though he be a man of woorth, 
 
 Should be commander of our Empire. 
 
 For he that neuer faw his foe mans face, 
 
 But alwaies flept vpon a Ladies lap, 
 
 Will fcant endure to lead a fouldiers life. 
 
 And he that neuer handled but his penne, 
 
 Will be vnskilfull at the warlike lance. 
 
 Indeed his wifedome well may guide the crowne, 
 
 And keepe that fafe his predeceflbrs got: 
 
 But being giuen to peace as Corcut is, 93° 
 
 He neuer will enlarge the Empire : 
 
 So that the rule and power ouer vs, 
 
 Is onely fit for valiant Selimus. 
 
 Mujl. Princes, you know how mightie Baiazet 
 Hath honoured Muftaffa with his loue. 
 He gaue his daughter beautious Solima, 
 To be the foueraigne miftreffe of my thoughts. 
 He made me captaine of the Ianiflaries, 
 And too vnnaturall mould Mustaffa be, 
 
 To rife againft him in his dying age. 940 
 
 Yet know, you warlike peere, Muftaffa is 
 A loyall friend vnto prince Selimus, 
 And ere his other brethren get the crowne, 
 For his fake, I my felfe will pull them downe. 
 I loue, I loue them dearly, but the loue 
 Which I do beare vnto my countries good, 
 Makes me a friend to noble Selimus, 
 Onely let Baiazet while he doth Hue, 
 Enioy in peace the Turkifh Diademe. 
 
 When he is dead, and layd in quiet graue, 950 
 
 Then none but Selimus our helpe fhall haue. 
 
 Sound
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Sound within. A Meffenger enters, Baiazet 
 
 awaketh. 
 Baia. How now Muftaffa, what newes haue we there ? 
 Is Selim vp in Armes gainft me againe? 
 Or is the Sophi entred our confines ? 
 Hath the ^Egyptian fhatch'd his crowne againe ? 
 Or haue the vncontrolled Chriftians 
 Vnflieath'd their fwords to make more war on vs ? 
 960 Such newes, or none will come to Baiazet. 
 
 Muft. My gratious Lord, heres an EmbafTador 
 Come from your fonne the Soldan Acomat. 
 Baia. From Acomat ? oh let him enter in. 
 Enter Regian. 
 EmbafTadour, how fares our louing fonne ? 
 
 Reg. Mightie commander of the warlike Turks, 
 Acomat Souldane of Amafia, 
 Greeteth your grace by me his meflenger. 
 He giues him a Letter. 
 970 And gratulates your highnefTe good fucceffe, 
 Wifhing good fortune may befall you ftill. 
 Baia. Mustafa reade. 
 
 He giues the letter to Muftaffa, and fpeakes the 
 reft to himfelfe. 
 Acomat craues thy promife Baiazet ', 
 To giue the Empire vp into his hands, 
 And make it fure to him in thy life time. 
 And thou malt haue it louely Acomat, 
 For I haue bene encombred long inough, 
 980 And vexed with the cares of kingly rule, 
 Now let the trouble of the Empirie 
 Be buried in the bofome of thy fonne. 
 Ah Acomat, if thou haue fuch a raigne 
 So full of forrow as thy fathers was, 
 Thou wilt accurfe the time, the day and houre, 
 In which thou was eftablim'd Emperour. 
 Sound. A Meffenger from Corcut. 
 
 Yet
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Yet more newes? 
 
 Mejf. Long Hue the mightie Emperor Baiazet, 
 Corcut the Soldan of Magnefia^ 990 
 
 Hearing of Selims worthie ouerthrow, 
 And of the comming of yoong Acomat y 
 Doth certifie your maieftie by me, 
 How ioyfull he is of your victorie. 
 And therewithall he humbly doth require 
 Your grace would do him iuftice in his caufe. 
 His brethren both, vnworthie fuch a father, 
 Do feeke the Empire while your grace doth Hue, 
 And that by vndirect finifter meanes. 
 
 But Corcut s mind free from ambitious thoughts, 1000 
 
 And trufting to the goodnefTe of his caufe, 
 Ioyned vnto your highneffe tender loue, 
 Onely defires your grace mould not inueft 
 Selim nor Acomat, in the Diademe, 
 Which appertaineth vnto him by right, 
 But keepe it to your felfe the while you Hue : 
 And when it mall the great creator pleafe, 
 Who hath the fpirits of all men in his hands, 
 Shall call your highneffe to your lateft home, 
 Then will he alfo fue to haue his right. 1010 
 
 Baia. Like to a fhip fayling without ftarres, 
 Whom waues do toffe one way and winds another, 
 Both without ceafing: euen fo my poore heart 
 Endures a combat betwixt loue and right. 
 The loue I beare to my deare Acomat y 
 Commands me giue my fuffrage vnto him, 
 But Corcuts title, being my eldeft fonne, 
 Bids me recall my hand, and giue it him. 
 Acomat, he would haue it in my life, 
 
 But gentle Corcut like a louing fonne, 1020 
 
 Defires me liue and die an Emperour, 
 And at my death bequeath my crowne to him. 
 Ah Corcut thou I fee lou'ft me indeed, 
 
 E Selimus
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Selimus fought to thruft me downe by force, 
 And Acomat feekes the kingdome in my life, 
 And both of them are grieu'd thou liu'ft fo long. 
 But Cor cut numbreth not my dayes as they, 
 
 how much dearer loues he me then they. 
 Bajaes, how counfell you your Emperour ? 
 
 1030 Muji. My gratious Lord, my felf wil fpeak for al, 
 For all I know are minded as I am. 
 Your highneffe knowes the Ianiflaries loue, 
 How firme they meane to cleaue to your beheft, 
 As well you might perceiue in that fad fight, 
 When Selim fet vpon you in your flight. 
 Then we do all defire you on our knees, 
 To keepe the crowne and fcepter to your felfe. 
 How grieuous will it be vnto your thoughts, 
 If you mould giue the crowne to Acomat ■, 
 
 1040 To fee the brethren disinherited, 
 
 To flefh their anger one vpon another, 
 And rend the bowels of this mightie raigne. 
 Suppofe that Corcut would be well content, 
 Yet thinkes your grace if Acomat were king, 
 That Selim ere long would ioine league with him ? 
 Nay he would breake from forth his Trebifond, 
 And wafte the Empire all with fire and fword. 
 Ah then too weake would be poore Acomat, 
 To ftand againft his brothers puiffance, 
 
 1050 Or faue himfelfe from his enhanced hand. 
 While Ifmael and the cruell Perfians, 
 And the great Soldane of th'Egyptians, 
 Would fmile to fee our force difmembred fo, 
 
 1 and perchance the neighbour Chriftians 
 Would take occafion to thruft out their heads. 
 All this may be preuented by your grace, 
 
 If you will yeeld to Corcuts iuft requeft, 
 
 And keepe the kingdome to you while you liue, 
 
 Meane time we that your graces fubiects are, 
 
 May
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 May make vs ftrong, to fortifie the man, 1060 
 
 Who at your death your grace fhal chufe as king. 
 Baia. O how thou fpeakeft euer like thy felfe, 
 Loyall Muftaffa : well were Baiazet 
 If all his fonnes, did beare fuch loue to him. 
 Though loth I am longer to weare the crowne, 
 Yet for I fee it is my fubiects will, 
 Once more will Baiazet be Emperour. 
 But we muft fend to pacirie our fonne, 
 Or he will ftorme, as earft did Selimus. 
 
 Come let vs go vnto our councell Lord, 1070 
 
 And there confider what is to be done. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 
 Enter Acomat, Regan, Vifir, and his fouldiers. Acomat Sc. xi 
 muft read a letter, and then renting it fay : 
 
 Aco. Thus will I rend the crowne from off thy head, 
 Falfe hearted and iniurious Baiazet, 
 To mocke thy fonne that loued thee fo deare. 
 What? for becaufe the head-ftrong Ianiffaries 
 Would not confent to honour Acomat, 
 
 And their bafe BafTaes vow'd to Selimus, 1080 
 
 Thought me vnworthie of the Turkim crowne, 
 Should he be rul'd and ouerrul'd by them, 
 Vnder pretence of keeping it himfelfe, 
 To wipe me cleane for euer being king? 
 Doth he efteeme fo much the BafTaes words, 
 And prize their fauour at fo high a rate, 
 That for togratifie their ftubborne mindes, 
 He cafts away all care, and all refpects 
 Of dutie, promife, and religious oathes ? 
 
 Now by the holy Prophet Mahomet, 1090 
 
 Chiefs president and patron of the Turkes, 
 I meane to chalenge now my right by Armes, 
 And winne by fword that glorious dignitie 
 Which he iniurioufly detaines from me. 
 
 E 2 Haply
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Haply he thinkes becaufe that Selimus 
 
 Rebutted by his warlike Ianiflaries, 
 
 Was faine to flie in haft from whence he came: 
 
 That Acomat by his example mou'd, 
 
 Will feare to manage Armes againft his fire. 
 nooOr that my life forepafled in pleafures court, 
 
 Promifes weake refiftance in the fight: 
 
 But he (hall know that I can vfe my fwoord, 
 
 And like a lyon feaze vpon my praie. 
 
 If euer Selim mou'd him heretofore, 
 
 Acomat meanes to mooue him ten times more. 
 Vifir. T'were good your grace would to Amafia, 
 
 And there increafe your camp with frefh fupply. 
 Aco. Vifir, I am impatient of delaie, 
 
 And fince my father hath incenft me thus, 
 mo He quech thofe kindled flames with his hart blood. 
 
 Not like a fonne, but a moft cruell foe, 
 
 Will Acomat henceforth be vnto him. 
 
 March to Natolia, there we will begin 
 
 And make a preface to our mafTacres. 
 
 My nephew Mahomet fonne to Alemjhae, 
 
 Departed lately from Iconium, 
 
 Is lodged there, and he (hall be the firft 
 1 1 1 8 Whom 1 will facrifice vnto my wrath. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Sc xii Enter the yoong Prince Mahomet, the Belierbey of 
 
 Natolia, and one or two fouldiers. 
 Maho. Lord Gouernour, what thinke you beft to doo ? 
 
 If we receiue the Souldaine Acomat, 
 
 Who knoweth not but his blood-thirftie fwoord 
 
 Shall be embowell'd in our country-men. 
 
 You know he is difpleafde with Baiazet, 
 
 And will rebell, as Selim did to fore, 
 
 And would to God with Selims ouerthrow. 
 
 You know his angrie heart hath vow'd reuenge 
 1 1 30 On all the fubiects of his fathers land. 
 
 Belierbey.
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Bel. Yoong prince, thy vncle feekes to haue thy life, 
 Becaufe by right the Turkifh crowne is thine, 
 Saue thou thy felfe by flight or otherwife, 
 And we will make refiftance as we can. 
 Like an Armenian tygre, that hath loft 
 Her loued whelpes, fo raueth Acomat: 
 And we muft be fubiect to his rage, 
 But you may liue to venge your citizens. 
 Then flie good prince before your vncle come. 
 
 Maho. Nay good my Lord, neuer mail it be faid 1 1^.0 
 
 That Mahomet the fonne of Alem/hae, 
 Fled from his citizens for feare of death, 
 But I will ftaie, and helpe to fight for you, 
 And if you needs muft die, ile die with you. 
 And I among the reft with forward hand, 
 Will helpe to kill a common enemie. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 
 Enter Acomat, Vifir, Regan, and the fouldiers. Sc. xiii 
 
 Aco. Now faire Natalia, fhall thy ftately walles 
 Be ouerthrowne and beaten to the ground. 1 1 50 
 
 My heart within me for reuenge ftill calles. 
 Why Baiazet, thought'ft thou that Acomat 
 Would put vp fuch a monftrous iniurie? 
 Then had I brought my chiualrie in vaine, 
 And to no purpofe drawne my conquering blade, 
 Which now vnfheath'd, fhal not be fheath'd againe, 
 Till it a world of bleeding foules hath made. 
 Poore Mahomet, thou thought'ft thy felfe too fure, 
 In thy ftrong citie of Iconium, 
 
 To plant thy Forces in Natolia, 1160 
 
 VVeakned fo much before by Selims fwoord. 
 Summon a parley to the citizens, 
 That they may heare the dreadfull words I fpeak, 
 And die in thought before they come to blowes. 
 
 All. A parley Mahomet, Belterbey, and fouldiers 
 on the walles. 
 
 E 3 Mahomet.
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Mabo. What craues our vncle Acomat of vs ? 
 
 Aco. That thou & all the citie yeeld themfelues, 
 Or by the holie rites of Mahomet 
 1 170 His wondrous tomb, and facred Alcoran, 
 You all mail die : and not a common death, 
 But euen as monftrous as I can deuife. 
 
 Maho. Vncle, if I may call you by that name, 
 Which cruelly hunt for your nephewes blood, 
 You do vs wrong thus to befiege our towne, 
 That nere deferu'd fuch hatred at your hands, 
 Being your friends and kinfmen as we are. 
 
 Aco. In that thou wrongft me that thou art my kinfman. 
 
 Maho. Why for I am thy nephew doeft thou frowne? 
 1 1 80 Aco. I that thou art fo neare vnto the crowne. 
 
 Maho. Why vncle I refigne my right to thee, 
 And all my title were it nere fo good. 
 
 Aco. Wilt thou ? then know affuredly from me, 
 He feale the refignation with thy blood : 
 Though Alemjhae thy father lou'd me well, 
 Yet Mahomet thy fonne mall downe to hell. 
 
 Mah. Why vncle doth my life put you in feare? 
 
 Aco. It mall not nephew, fince I haue you here. 
 
 Maho. When I am dead, mote hindrers malt thou finde. 
 1 190 Acorn. When ones cut off, the fewer are behinde. 
 
 Maho. Yet thinke the gods do beare an equall eye. 
 
 Aco. Faith if they all were fquint-ey'd, what care I. 
 
 Maho. Then Mahomet know we will rather die, 
 Then yeeld vs vp into a tyrants hand. 
 
 Aco. Bemrew me but you be the wifer Mahomet, 
 For if I do but catch you boy aliue, 
 Twere better for you runne through Phlegiton. 
 Sirs fcale the walles, and pull the caitiues downe, 
 I giue to you the fpoyle of all the towne. 
 1200 Alarum. Scale the walles. Enter Acomat, Vifir 
 
 and Regan, with Mahomet. 
 
 Acorn. Now yoongfter, you that brau'dft vs on the walles, 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And fhooke your plumed creft againft our fhield, 
 
 What wouldft thou giue, or what wouldft thou not giue, 
 
 That thou wert far inough from Acomat ? 
 
 How like the villaine is to Baiazet? 
 
 Wei nephew for thy father lou'd me well, 
 
 I will not deale extreemly with his fonne : 
 
 Then heare a briefe compendium of thy death. 
 
 Regan go caufe a groue of fteelehead fpeares, 1210 
 
 Be pitched thicke vnder the caftle wall, 
 
 And on them let this youthfull captaine fall. 
 
 Ma. Thou fhalt not fear me Acomat with death, 
 Nor will I beg my pardon at thy hands. 
 But as thou giu'ft me fuch a monftrous death, 
 So do I freely leaue to thee my curfe : 
 
 Exit Regan with Mahomet. 
 
 Aco. O, that wil ferue to fil my fathers purfe. 
 Alarum. Enter a fouldier with Zonara, fifter 
 
 to Mahomet. 1220 
 
 Zon. Ah pardon me deare vncle, pardon me. 
 
 Aco. No minion, you are too neare a kin to me. 
 
 Zon. If euer pitie entered thy breft, 
 Or euer thou waft touch'd with womans loue, 
 Sweete vncle fpare wretched Zonaras life. 
 Thou once waft noted for a quiet prince, 
 Soft-hearted, mild, and gentle as a lambe, 
 Ah do not prooue a lyon vnto me. 
 
 Aco. Why would'ft thou Hue, when Mahomet is dead ? 
 
 Ron. Ah who flew Mahomet} Vncle did you? 1230 
 
 Aco. He thats prepar'd to do as much for you. 
 
 Zon. Doeft thou not pitie Alemjhae in me? 
 
 Aco. Yes that he wants fo long thy companie. 
 
 Zon. Thou art not falfe groome fon to Baiazet, 
 He would relent to heare a woman weepe, 
 But thou waft borne in defart Caucafus^ 
 And the Hircanian tygres gaue thee fucke, 
 Knowing thou wert a monfter like themfelues. 
 
 Acomat.
 
 The firft. part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Aco. Let you her thus to rate vs? Strangle her. 
 1240 They ftrangle her. 
 
 Now fcoure the ftreets, and leaue not one aliue 
 To carrie thefe fad newes to Baiazet. 
 That all the citizens may dearly fay, 
 This day was fatall to Natolia. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Sc. xiv Enter Baiazet, Mufiaffa, and the IanifTaries. 
 Ba. Muftaffa, if my minde deceiue me not, 
 Some ftrange misfortune is not farre from me. 
 I was not wont to tremble in this fort. 
 1250 Me thinkes I feele a cold run through my bones, 
 As if it haftned to furprize my heart, 
 Me thinkes fome voice ftill whifpereth in my eares 
 And bids me to take heed of Acomat. 
 
 Muji. Tis but your highneffe ouercharged mind 
 Which feareth moft the things it leaft defires. 
 
 Enter two fouldiers with the Belierbey of Natolia in a chaire, 
 
 and the bodie of Mahomet and Zonara, in two coffins. 
 Ba. Ah fweet Muftaffa, thou art much deceiu'd, 
 My minde prefages me fome future harme, 
 1260 And loe what dolefull exequie is here. 
 Our chiefe commander of Natolia ? 
 What caitiue hand is it hath wounded thee ? 
 And who are thefe couered in tomblack hearfe? 
 
 Bel. Thefe are thy nephewes mightie Baiazet, 
 The fonne and daughter of good Alemjhae, 
 Whom cruell Acomat hath murdred thus. 
 Thefe eyes beheld, when from an ayrie toure, 
 They hurld the bodie of yoong Mahomet, 
 Whereas a band of armed fouldiers, 
 1270 Receiued him falling on their fpeares fharp points. 
 His fitter poore Zonara, 
 Entreating life and not obtaining it, 
 Was ftrangled by his barbarous fouldiers. 
 Baiazet fals in a fownd, and being recouered fay : 
 
 Baia.
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Baia. Oh you difpencers of our hapleffe breath, 
 Why do you glut your eyes, and take delight 
 To fee fad pageants of mens miferies ? 
 Wherefore haue you prolong'd my wretched life, 
 To fee my fonne my deareft Acomat, 
 
 To lift his hands againft his fathers life? 1280 
 
 Ah Selimus , now do I pardon thee, 
 For thou did'ft fet vpon me manfully, 
 And mou'd by an occafion, though vniuft. 
 But Acomat, iniurious Acomat, 
 Is tentimes more vnnaturall to me. 
 Hapleffe Zonara, hapleffe Mahomet, 
 The poore remainder of my Alemjhae, 
 Which of you both mall Baiazet moft waile ? 
 Ah both of you are worthie to be wailde. 
 
 Happily dealt the froward fates with thee, i*9° 
 
 Good Alemjhae, for thou didft die in field, 
 And fo preuentedft this fad fpectacle, 
 Pitifull fpectacle of fad dreeriment, 
 Pitifull fpectacle of difmall death. 
 But I haue liu'd to fee thee Alemjhae, 
 By Tartar Pirates all in peeces torne. 
 To fee yoong Selims difobedience. 
 To fee the death of Alemfhaes poore feed. 
 And laft of all to fee my Acomat 
 Prooue a rebellious enemie to me. 1300 
 
 Belt. Ah ceafe your teares vnhappie Emperour, 
 And mead not all for your poore nephews death. 
 Six thoufand of true-hearted citizens 
 In faire Natolia, Acomat hath flaine : 
 The channels run like riuerets of blood, 
 And I efcap'd with this poore compande, 
 Bemangled and difmembred as you fee, 
 To be the meffenger of thefe fad newes. 
 And now mine eyes faft fwimming in pale death, 
 Bids me refigne my breath vnto the heauens, 13 10 
 
 F Death
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Death ftands before readie for to ftrike. 
 
 Farewell deare Emperour and reuenge our loffe, 
 
 As euer thou doeft hope for happineffe. He dies. 
 Baia. Auernus iawes and loathfome Tanarus, 
 
 From whence the damned ghoafts do often creep, 
 
 Back to the world to punifh wicked men. 
 
 Black Demogorgon, grandfather of night, 
 
 Send out thy furies from thy firie hall, 
 
 The pitileffe Erymnies arm'd with whippes, 
 1320 And all the damned monfters of black hell, 
 
 To powre their plagues on curfed Acomat. 
 
 How mail I mourne, or which way mail I turne 
 
 To powre my teares vpon my deareft friends ? 
 
 Couldft thou endue falfe-hearted Acomat, 
 
 To kill thy nephew and thy After thus, 
 
 And wound to death fo valiant a Lord ? 
 
 And will you not you albeholding heauens, 
 
 Dart down on him your piercing lightning brand, 
 
 Enrold in fulphur, and confuming flames? 
 1330 Ah do not hue, Acomat is my fonne, 
 
 And may perhaps by counfell be reclaim'd 
 
 And brought to filia.ll obedience. 
 
 Aga thou art a man of peirfant wit, 
 
 Go thou and talke with my fonne Acomat, 
 
 And fee if he will any way relent. 
 
 Speake him faire Aga, leaft he kill thee too. 
 
 And we my Lords will in, and mourne a while, 
 
 Ouer thefe princes lamentable tombs. 
 
 Exeunt all. 
 Sc. xv Enter Acomat, Vifir, Regan, and their 
 
 fouldiers. 
 134.2 Acq. As Tityus in the countrie of the dead, 
 
 With reftlefle cries doth call vpon high Ioue, 
 
 The while the vulture tireth on his heart, 
 
 So Acomat, reuenge ftill gnawes thy foule. 
 
 I thinke my fouldieis hands haue bene too flow, 
 
 In
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 In {heading blood, and murthring innocents. 
 
 I thinke my wrath hath bene too patient, 
 
 Since ciuill blood quencheth not out the flames 
 
 Which Baiazet hath kindled in my heart. 1350 
 
 Vifir. My gratious Lord, here is a meflenger 
 Sent from your father the Emperour. 
 
 Enter Aga, and one with him. 
 
 Aco. Let him come in : Aga what newes with you ? 
 
 Aga. Great Prince, thy father mightie Baiazet, 
 Wonders your grace whom he did loue fo much, 
 And thought to leaue pofTeflbur of the crowne, 
 Would thus requite his loue with mortall hate, 
 To kill thy nephewes with reuenging fword, 
 And maffacre his fubiects in fuch fort. 1360 
 
 Aco. Aga, my father traitrous Baiazet, 
 Detaines the crowne iniurioufly from me, 
 Which I will haue if all the world fay nay. 
 I am not like the vnmanured land, 
 Which anfweres not his honours greedie mind : 
 I fow not feeds vpon the barren fand, 
 A thoufand wayes can Acomat foone finde, 
 To gaine my will, which if 1 cannot gaine, 
 Then purple blood my angry hands mail ftaine. 
 
 Aga. Acomat) yet learne by Seltmus, 1370 
 
 That haftie purpofes haue hated endes. 
 
 Aco. Turn Aga, Selim was not wife inough 
 To fet vpon the head at the firft brunt: 
 He mould haue done as I do meane to do, 
 Fill all the confines, with fire, fword, and blood : 
 Burne vp the fields, and ouerthrow whole townes, 
 And when he had endammaged that way, 
 The teare the old man peecemeale with my teeth, 
 And colour my ftrong hands with his gore-blood. 
 
 Aga. O fee my Lord, how fell ambition 1380 
 
 Deceiues your fences and bewitcyes you, 
 Could you vnkind performe fo foule a deed, 
 
 F 2 As
 
 The firft part of the Tragical 1 raigne 
 
 As kill the man, that firft gaue life to you ? 
 Do you not feare the peoples aduerfe fame ? 
 
 Aco. It is the greateft glorie of a king 
 When, though his fubiects hate his wicked deeds 
 Yet are they for ft to beare them all with praife. 
 
 Aga. Whom feare conftraines to praife their princes deeds, 
 That feare, eternall hatred in them feeds. 
 1390 Aco. He knowes not how to fway the kingly mace, 
 That loues to be great in his peoples grace : 
 The fureft ground for kings to build vpon, 
 Is to be fear'd and curft of euery one. 
 What though the world of nations me hate? 
 Hate is peculiar to a princes ftate. 
 
 Aga. Where ther's no fhame, no care of holy law, 
 No faith, no iuftice, no integritie, 
 That ftate is full of mutabilitie. 
 
 Aco. Bare faith, pure vertue, poore integritie, 
 1400 Are ornaments fit for a priuate man, 
 Befeemes a prince for to do all he can. 
 
 Aga. Yet know it is a facrilegious will, 
 To flaie thy father were he nere fo ill. 
 
 Aco. Tis lawfull gray-beard for to do to him, 
 What ought not to be done vnto a father. 
 Hath he not wip't me from the Turkifh crowne? 
 Preferr'd he not the ftubborne Ianizaries, 
 And heard the BafTaes ftout petitions, 
 Before he would giue eare to my requeft? 
 141 o As fure as day, mine eyes fhall nere taft fleepe, 
 Before my fword haue riuen his periur'd breft. 
 
 Aga. Ah let me neuer Hue to fee that day. 
 
 Aco. Yes thou fhalt Hue, but neuer fee that day, 
 Wanting the tapers that fhould giue thee light : 
 
 Puis out his eyes. 
 Thou fhalt not fee fo great felicitie, 
 When I fhall rend out Baiazets dimme eyes, 
 And by his death inftall my felfe a king. 
 
 Aga.
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Aga. Ah cruell tyrant and vnmercifull, 
 More bloodie then the Anthropomphagi^ H 20 
 
 That fill their hungry ftomachs with mans flefh. 
 Thou fhouldft haue flaine me barbarous Acomat, 
 Not leaue me in fo comfortleffe a life 
 To liue on earth, and neuer fee the funne. 
 
 Aco. Nay let him die that liueth at his eafe, 
 Death would a wretched caitiue greatly pleafe. 
 
 Aga. And thinkft thou then to fcape vnpuimed, 
 No Acomat, though both mine eyes be gone, 
 Yet are my hands left on to murther thee. 
 
 Aco. T'was wel remembred : Regan cut them off. 1430 
 
 They cut of his hands and giue them Acomat. 
 Now in that fort go tell thy Fmperour 
 That if himfelfe had but bene in thy place, 
 I would haue vs'd him crueller then thee : 
 Here take thy hands: I know thou lou'ft them wel. 
 
 Opens his bofome, and puts them in. 
 Which hand is this? right? or left? canft thou tell? 
 
 Aga. I know not which it is, but tis my hand. 
 But oh thou fupreme architect of all, 
 
 Firft mouer of thofe tenfold chriftall orbes, 1440 
 
 Where all thofe mouing, and vnmouing eyes 
 Behold thy goodneffe euerlaftingly : 
 See, vnto thee I lift thefe bloudie armes, 
 For hands I haue not for to lift to thee, 
 And in thy iuftice dart thy fmouldring flame 
 Vpon the head of curfed Acomat. 
 Oh cruell heauens and iniurious fates, 
 Euen the laft refuge of a wretched man, 
 Is tooke from me : for how can Aga weepe ? 
 Or ruine a brinifh fhew'r of pearled teares? 1450 
 
 Wanting the watry cefternes of his eyes ? 
 Come lead me backe againe to Baiazet, 
 The wofulleft, and fadd'ft Embaffadour 
 That euer was difpatch'd to any King. 
 
 F 3 Aco.
 
 The firfl: part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Aco. Why fo, this muficke pleafes Acomat. 
 And would I had my doating father here, 
 I would rip vp his breaft, and rend his heart, 
 Into his bowels thruft my angry hands, 
 As willingly, and with as good a mind, 
 1460 As 1 could be the Turkifh Emperour. 
 
 And by the cleare declining vault of heauen, 
 Whither the foules of dying men do flee, 
 Either 1 meane to dye the death my felfe, 
 Or make that old falfe faitour bleed his laft. 
 For death no forrow could vnto me bring, 
 So Acomot might die the Turkifh king. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Sc xvi Enter Baiazet, Muftaffa, Cali, Hali, and Aga led 
 by a fouldier: who keeling before Baiazet, 
 1470 and holding his legs mall fay: 
 
 Aga. Is this the bodie of my foueraigne? 
 Are thefe the facred pillars that fupport 
 The image of true magnanimitie ? 
 Ah Baiazet, thy fonne falfe Acomat 
 Is full refolued to take thy life from thee : 
 Tis true, tis true, witnefTe thefe handlefTe armes, 
 VVitnefTe thefe emptie lodges of mine eyes, 
 WitnefTe the gods that from the higher! heauen 
 Beheld the tyrant with remorcelefTe heart, 
 1480 Puld out mine eyes, and cut off my weake hands. 
 VVitnefTe that fun whofe golden coloured beames 
 Your eyes do fee, but mine can nere behold: 
 VVitnefTe the earth that fucked vp my blood, 
 Streaming in riuers from my tronked armes. 
 VVitnefTe the prefent that he fends to thee, 
 Open my bofome, there you fhall it fee. 
 
 Mujiaffa opens his bofome and takes out 
 his hands. 
 Thofe are the hands, which Aga once did vfe, 
 1490 To tofTe the fpeare, and in a warlike gyre 
 
 To
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 To hurtle my fharpe fword about my head, 
 Thofe fends he to the wofull Emperour, 
 With purpofe fo cut thy hands from thee. 
 Why is my foueraigne filent all this while ? 
 
 Ba. Ah Aga y Baiazet faine would fpeak to thee, 
 But fodaine forrow eateth vp my words. 
 Baiazet Aga, faine would weepe for thee, 
 But cruell forrow drieth vp my teares. 
 Baiazet Aga, faine would die for thee, 
 
 But griefe hath weakned my poore aged hands. 1500 
 
 How can he fpeak, whofe tongue forrow hath tide ? 
 How can he mourne, that cannot mead a teare? 
 How mail he hue, that full of miferie 
 Calleth for death, which will not let him die? 
 
 Muji. Let women weep, let children powre foorth teares, 
 And cowards fpend the time in bootleffe mone. 
 Wee'l load the earth with fuch a mightie hoaft 
 Of Ianizaries, fterne-borne fonnes of Mars, 
 That Ph<eb mail flie and hide him in the cloudes 
 For feare our iauelins thruft him from his waine. 15 10 
 
 Old Aga was a Prince among your Lords, 
 His Councels alwaies were true oracles, 
 And mall he thus vnmanly be mifus'd, 
 And he vnpunifhed that did the deed? 
 Shall Mahomet and poore Zonaras ghoafts, 
 And the good gouernour of Natalia 
 Wander in Stygian meadowes vnreueng'd? 
 Good Emperour ftir vp thy manly heart, 
 And fend forth all thy warlike Ianizaries 
 
 To chaftife that rebellious Acomat. 1520 
 
 Thou knowft we cannot fight without a guide, 
 And he muft be one of the royall blood, 
 Sprung from the loines of mightie Ottoman, 
 And who remaines now, but yoong Selimus} 
 So pleafe your grace to pardon his offence, 
 And make him captaine of th'imperiall hoaft. 
 
 Baia.
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Baia. I good Muftaffa, fend for Selimus, 
 So I may be reueng'd I care not how, 
 The worft that can befall me is but death, 
 1530 That would end my wofull miferie. 
 
 Selimus he rauft worke me this good turne, 
 I cannot kill my felfe, hee'l do't for me. 
 Come Aga, thou and I will weepe the while : 
 Thou for thy eyes and loffe of both thy hands, 
 I for th'vnkindnefle of my Acomat. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Sc. xvii Enter Selimus, and a meffenger with a letter 
 
 from Baiazet. 
 Selim. Will fortune fauour me yet once againe? 
 1 540 And will me thruft the cards into my hands ? 
 Well if I chance but once to get the decke, 
 To deale about and fhufle as I would : 
 Let Selim neuer fee the day-light fpring, 
 Vnlefle I muffle out my felfe a king. 
 Friend let me fee thy letter once againe, 
 That I may read thefe reconciling lines. 
 
 Reades the letter. 
 Thou haft a pardon Selim granted thee. 
 Mustaffa and the forward Ianizaries 
 1550 Haue fued to thy father Baiazet, 
 
 That thou maift be their captaine generall 
 Againft th'attempts of Souldane Acomat. 
 VVhy thats the thing that I requefted moft, 
 That I might once th'imperiall armie leade : 
 And fince its ofFred me fo willingly, 
 Befhrew me but ile take their curtefie. 
 Soft let me fee is there no policie 
 T'entrap poore Selimus in this deuice ? 
 It may be that my father feares me yet, 
 1560 Leaft I mould once againe rife vp in armes, 
 And like Antaus queld by Hercules, 
 Gather new forces by my ouerthrow : 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And therefore fends for me vnder pretence 
 Of this, and that : but when he hath me there, 
 Hee'll make me fure for putting him in feare. 
 Diftruft is good, when theirs caufe of diftruft. 
 Read it againe, perchance thou doeft miftake. 
 
 (Reade. 
 O, heer's Mujiaffas fignet fet thereto, 
 
 Then Selim caft all foolifti feare afide, *57° 
 
 For hee's a Prince that fauours thy eftate, 
 And hateth treafon worfe then death it felfe. 
 And hardly can I thinke he could be brought 
 If there were treafon, to fubfcribe his name. 
 Come friend, the caufe requires we fhuld be gone, 
 Now once againe haue at the Turkifh throne. 
 
 Exeunt Both. 
 Enter Baiazet leading Aga, Mustaffa, 5c. xviii 
 
 Halt, Cali> SelimuS) the Ianizaries. 
 
 Baia. Come mournfull Aga, come and fit by me, i5 8 ° 
 
 Thou haft bene forely grieu'd for Baiazet, 
 Good reafon then that he mould grieue for thee. 
 Giue me thy arm, though thou haft loft thy hands, 
 And liu'ft as a poore exile in this light, 
 Yet haft thou wonne the heart of Baiazet. 
 
 Aga. Your graces words are verie comfortable, 
 And well can Aga beare his grieuous loflfe, 
 Since it was for fo good a Princes fake. 
 
 Seli. Father, if I may call thee by that name, 
 Whofe life I aim'd at with rebellious fword : 159° 
 
 In all humilitie thy reformed fonne, 
 Offers himfelfe into your graces hands, 
 And at your feete laieth his bloodie fword, 
 Which he aduanc'd againft your maieftie. 
 If my offence do feeme fo odious 
 That I deferue not longer time to liue, 
 Behold I open vnto you my breft, 
 Readie prepar'd to die at your command. 
 
 G But
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 But if repentance in vnfained heart, 
 1600 And forrow for my grieuous crime forepaft, 
 
 May merit pardon at your princely hands. 
 
 Behold where poore inglorious Selimus, 
 
 Vpon his knees begs pardon of your grace. 
 
 Baia. Stand vp my fon, I ioy to heare thee fpeak, 
 
 But more, to heare thou art fo well reclaim'd. 
 
 Thy crime was nere fo odious vnto me, 
 
 But thy reformed life and humble thoughts, 
 
 Are thrice as pleafing to my aged fpirit. 
 
 Selim we here pronounce thee by our will, 
 1 610 Chiefe general! of the warlike Ianizaries. 
 
 Go lead them out again ft falfe Acomat, 
 
 Which hath fo grieuoufly rebell'd gainft me. 
 
 Spare him not Selim, though he be my fonne, 
 
 Yet do I now cleane disinherit him, 
 
 As common enemy to me and mine. 
 
 Seli. May Selim Hue to fhew how dutifull 
 
 And louing he will be to Baiazet. 
 
 So now doth fortune fmile on me againe, 
 
 And in regard of former iniuries, 
 1620 Offer me millions of Diadems: 
 
 I fmile to fee how that the good old man, 
 
 Thinks Selims thoughts are broght to fuch an ebbe 
 
 As he hath caft off all ambitious hope. 
 
 But foone mail that opinion be remou'd, 
 
 For if I once get mongft the Ianizars, 
 
 Then on my head the golden crowne mall fit. 
 
 Well Baiazet, I feare me thou wilt greeue, 
 
 That ere thou didft thy faining fonne beleeue. 
 Exit Selim, with all the reft, faue Baiazet 
 1630 and Aga. 
 
 Ba. Now Aga, all the thoghts that troubled me, 
 
 Do reft within the center of my heart, 
 
 And thou fhalt fliortly ioy as much with me, 
 
 Then Acomat by Selims confuming fword, 
 
 Shall
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Shall leefe that ghoaft, which made thee loofe thy fight. 
 
 Aga. Ah Baiazet, Aga lookes not for reuenge, 
 But will powre out his praiers to the heauens, 
 That Acomat may learne by Selimus, 
 To yeeld himfelfe vp to his fathers grace. 
 
 Sound within, long Hue Selimus Emperour 1640 
 
 of Turkes. 
 
 Baia. How now, what fodaine triumph haue we here ? 
 
 Muft. Ah gratious Lord, the captaines of the hofte, 
 With one aflent haue crown'd Prince Selimus, 
 And here he comes with all the Ianizaries, 
 To craue his confirmation at thy hands. 
 
 Enter Call Bajfa, Selimus, Hali Bajfa, Sinam, 
 and the Ianizaries. 
 
 Sinam. Baiazet, we the captaines of thy hoaft, 
 Knowing thy weake and too vnwildie age, 1650 
 
 Vnable is longer to gouerne vs : 
 Haue chofen Selimus thy yoonger fonne 
 That he may be our leader and our guide, 
 Againft the Sophi and his Perfians, 
 Gainft the victorious Soldane Tonumbey. 
 Their wants but thy confent, which we wil haue, 
 Or hew thy bodie peece-meale with our fwords. 
 
 Baia. Needs muft I giue, what is alreadie gone. 
 
 He takes of his crowne. 
 Here Selimus, thy father Baiazet 1660 
 
 Weeried with cares that wayt vpon a king, 
 Refignes the crowne as willingly to thee, 
 As ere my father gaue it vnto me. 
 
 Sets it on his head. 
 
 All. Long Hue Selimus Emperour of Turkes. 
 
 Baia. Liue thou a long and a victorious raigne, 
 And be triumpher of thine enemies. 
 Aga and I will to Dimoticum, 
 And liue in peace the remnant of our dayes. 
 
 Exit Baiazet and Aga. 1670 
 
 G 2 Seli.
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Seli. Now fit I like the arme-ftrong fon of Ioue, 
 
 When after he had all his monfters quell'd, 
 
 He was receiu'd in heauen mongft the gods, 
 
 And had faire Hebe for his louely bride. 
 
 As many labours Selimus hath had, 
 
 And now at length attained to the crowne, 
 
 This is my Hebe, and this is my heauen. 
 
 Baiazet goeth to Dimoticum, 
 
 And there he purpofes to Hue at eafe, 
 1680 But Selimus, as long as he is on earth, 
 
 Thou malt not fleep in reft without fome broyle, 
 
 For Baiazet is vnconftant as the winde : 
 
 To make that fure I haue a platforme laid. 
 
 Baiazet hath with him a cunning lew, 
 
 ProfefTing phificke, and fo skill'd therein, 
 
 As if he had pow'r ouer life and death. 
 
 Withall, a man fo ftout and refolute, 
 
 That he will venture any thing for gold. 
 
 This lew with fome intoxicated drinke, 
 1690 Shall poyfon Baiazet and that blind Lord, 
 
 Then one of Hydraes heads is cleane cut off*. 
 
 Go fome and fetch Abraham the lew. 
 
 Exit one for Abraham. 
 
 Corcut, thy pageant next is to be plaid. 
 
 For though he be a graue Philofopher, 
 
 Giuen to read Mahomets dread lawes, 
 
 And Razins toyes, and Auicemaes drugges, 
 
 Yet he may haue a longing for the crowne. 
 
 Befides, he may by diuellifh Negromancie 
 1700 Procure my death, or worke my ouerthrow, 
 
 The diuell ftill is readie to do harme. 
 
 Halt, you and your brother prefently 
 
 Shall with an armie to Magnefia, 
 
 There you mail find the fcholler at his booke, 
 
 And hear 'ft thou Hali? ftrangle him. 
 
 Exeunt Hali, and Cali. 
 
 Corcut
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Corcut once dead, then Acomat remaines, 
 
 Whofe death wil make me certaine of the crowne. 
 
 Thefe heads of Hydra are the principall, 
 
 When thefe are off, fome other will arife, 17 10 
 
 As Amurath and Aladin, fonnes to Acomat, 
 
 My fifter Solyma, Mujiaffaes wife, 
 
 All thefe mall fuffer fhipwrack on a melfe, 
 
 Rather then Selim will be drown'd himfelfe. 
 
 Enter Abraham the lew. 
 lew thou art welcome vnto Selimus, 
 I haue a piece of feruice for you fir, 
 But on your life be fecret in the deed. 
 Get a ftrong poyfon, whofe enuenom'd tafte 
 
 May take away the life of Baiazet, 17 20 
 
 Before he paffe forth of Bizantium. 
 
 Abra. I warrant you my gratious foueraigne, 
 He mall be quickly fent vnto his graue, 
 For I haue potions of fo ftrong a force, 
 That whofoeuer touches them mall die. 
 
 Speakes afide. 
 And wold your grace would once but taft of them 
 I could as willingly affoord them you, 
 As your aged father Baiazet. 
 
 My Lord, I am refolu'd to do the deed. 173° 
 
 Exit. Abraham. 
 
 Seli. So this is well : for I am none of thofe 
 That make a confcience for to kill a man. 
 For nothing is more hurtfull to a Prince, 
 Then to be fcrupulous and religious. 
 I like Lyfanders counfell patting well, 
 If that I cannot fpeed with lyons force, 
 To cloath my complots in a foxes skin. 
 For th'onely things that wrought our Empirie 
 Were open wrongs, and hidden trecherie. 1740 
 
 Oh, th'are two wings wherewith I vfe to flie 
 And foare aboue the common fort. 
 
 G 3 If
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 If any feeke our wrongs to remedie, 
 With thefe I take his meditation fhort, 
 And one of thefe fhall ftil maintaine my caufe, 
 Or foxes skin, or lions rending pawes. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Sc. xix Enter Baiazet^ Aga, in mourning clokes, 
 
 Abraham the lew with a cup. 
 
 1750 Baia. Come Aga let vs fit and mourne a while, 
 For fortune neuer fhew'd her felfe fo crofTe, 
 To any Prince as to poore Baiazet. 
 That wofull Emperour firft of my name, 
 Whom the Tartarians locked in cage, 
 To be a fpectacle to all the world, 
 Was ten times happier then I am. 
 For Tamberlaine the fcourge of nations, 
 Was he that puld him from his kingdome fo. 
 But mine owne fonnes, expell me from the throne, 
 
 1760 Ah where mail I begin to make my mone. 
 Or what fhall I firft recken in my plaint, 
 From my youth vp I haue bene drown'd in woe, 
 And to my lateft houre I mail be fo. 
 You fwelling feas of neuer ceafing care, 
 Whofe waues my weather-beaten fhip do toffe, 
 Your boyftrous billowes too vnruly are 
 And threaten ftill my ruine and my loffe : 
 Like hugie mountaines do your waters reare, 
 Their loftie toppes, and my weake veflell crofTe. 
 
 1770 Alas at length allaie your ftormie ftrife, 
 And cruell wrath within me rages rife. 
 Or elfe my feeble barke cannot endure, 
 Your flafhing buffets and outragious blowes, 
 But while thy foamie floud doth it immure, 
 Shall foone be wrackt vpon the fandie fhallowes. 
 Griefe my leaud boat-fwaine ftirreth nothing fure, 
 But without ftars gainft tide and wind he rowes, 
 And cares not though vpon fome rock we fplit, 
 
 A reftlefle
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turk.es. 
 
 A reftleffe pilot for the charge vnfit. 
 
 But out alaffe, the god that vales the fea, 1780 
 
 And can alone this raging tempeft ftent, 
 
 Will neuer blow a gentle gale of eafe, 
 
 But fufFer my poore veflell to be rent. 
 
 Then 6 thou blind procurer of mifchance, 
 
 That ftaift thy felfe vpon a turning wheele, 
 
 Thy cruel hand euen when thou wilt enhance, 
 
 And pierce my poore hart with thy chrillant fteele 
 
 Aga. Ceafe Baiazet, now it is Agas turne, 
 Reft thou a while and gather vp more teares, 
 The while poore Aga tell his Tragedie. 1790 
 
 When firft my mother brought me to the world, 
 Some blazing Comet ruled in the skie, 
 Portending miferable chance to me. 
 My parents were but men of poore eftate, 
 And happie yet had wretched Aga bene, 
 If Baiazet had not exalted him. 
 Poore Aga, had it not bene much more faire, 
 T'haue died among the cruell Perfians, 
 Then thus at home by barbarous tyrannie 
 
 To liue and neuer fee the cheerfull day, 1800 
 
 And to want hands wherewith to feele the way. 
 
 Ba. Leaue weeping Aga, we haue wept inough, 
 Now Baiazet will ban another while, 
 And vtter curfes to the concaue skie, 
 Which may infect the regions of the ayre, 
 And bring a generall plague on all the world. 
 Night thou moft antient grand-mother of all, 
 Firft made by hue, for reft and quiet fleepe, 
 When cheerful day is gon from th'earths wide hall. 
 Henceforth thy mantle in blak Lethe fleepe, 1810 
 
 And cloath the world in darknefle infernall. 
 Suffer not once the ioyfull dailight peepe, 
 But let thy pitchie fteeds aye draw thy waine, 
 And coaleblack filence in the world ftill raigne. 
 
 Curfe
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Curfe on my parents that firft brought me vp, 
 And on the cradle wherein I was rockt, 
 Curfe on the day when firft I was created 
 The chiefe commander of all Afia. 
 Curfe on my fonnes that driue me to this griefe, 
 1820 Curfe on my felfe that can finde no reliefe. 
 And curfe on him, an euerlafting curfe, 
 That quench'd thofe lampes of euerburning light, 
 And tooke away my Agas warlike hands. 
 And curfe on all things vnder the wide skie, 
 Ah Aga, I haue curft my ftomacke drie. 
 
 Abra. I haue a drinke my Lords of noble worth, 
 Which foone will calme your ftormie paffions, 
 And glad your hearts if fo you pleafe to tafte it. 
 
 Baia. For who art thou that thus doeft pitie vs? 
 1830 Abra. Your highnefTe humble feruant Abraha. 
 
 Baia. Abraham fit downe and drink to Baiazet. 
 
 Abra. Faith I am old as well as Baiazet, 
 And haue not many months to liue on earth, 
 I care not much to end my life with him. 
 Heer's to you Lordings with a full caroufe. 
 
 He drinkes. 
 
 Baia. Here Aga, wofull Baiazet drinkes to thee. 
 Abraham, hold the cup to him while he drinkes. 
 
 Abra. Now know old Lords, that you haue drunk your laft : 
 1840 This was a potion which I did prepare 
 To poyfon you, by Selimus inftigation, 
 And now it is difperfed through my bones, 
 And glad I am that fuch companions 
 Shall go with me downe to Proferpina. 
 
 He dies. 
 
 Baia. Ah wicked lew, ah curfed Selimus, 
 How haue the deftins dealt with Baiazet, 
 That none fhuld caufe my death but mine own fon ? 
 Had Ifmael and his warlike Perfians 
 1850 Pierced my bodie with their iron fpeares, 
 
 Or
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Or had the ftrong vnconquer'd Tonumbey 
 
 With his Aegyptians tooke me prifoner, 
 
 And fent me with his valiant Mammalukes, 
 
 To be praie vnto the Crocodilus. 
 
 It neuer would haue grieu'd me halfe fo much. 
 
 But welcome death into whofe calmie port, 
 
 My forrow-beaten foule ioyes to arriue. 
 
 And now farewell my difobedient fonnes, 
 
 Vnnaturall fonnes vnworthie of that name. 
 
 Farewell fweete life, and Aga now farewell, i860 
 
 Till we mall meete in the Elyfian fields. 
 
 He dies. 
 Aga. What greater griefe had mournful Priamus, 
 Then that he liu'd to fee his Hector die, 
 His citie burnt downe by reuenging flames, 
 And poore Polites flaine before his face? 
 Aga, thy griefe is matchable to his, 
 For I haue liu'd to fee my foueraignes death, 
 Yet glad that I muft breath my laft with him. 
 And now farewell fweet light, which my poore eyes 1870 
 
 Thefe twice fix moneths neuer did behold : 
 Aga will follow noble Baiazet, 
 And beg a boone of louely Proferpine, 
 That he and I may in the mournfull fields, 
 Still weepe and waile our ftrange calamities. 
 
 He dies 
 Enter Bullithrumble, the fhepheard running in haft, Sc. xx 
 
 and laughing to himfelfe. 
 Bulk. Ha, ha, ha, married quoth you? Marry and Bullithrum- 
 ble were to begin the world againe, I would fet a tap abroach, 1880 
 and not Hue in daily feare of the breach of my wiues ten-com- 
 mandemens. He tell you what, I thought my felfe as proper a 
 fellow at wafters, as any in all our village, and yet when my wife 
 begins to plaie clubbes trumpe with me, I am faine to fing : 
 What hap had I to marry a fhrew, 
 For fhe hath giuen me many a blow, 
 
 H And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 And how to pleafe her alas I do not know. 
 From morne to euen her toong ne'r lies, 
 Sometime fhe laughs, fometime (he cries: 
 1890 And I can fcarce keep her talets fro my eies. 
 
 When from abroad I do come in, 
 Sir knaue me cries, where haue you bin? 
 Thus pleafe, or difpleafe, me laies it on my 
 Then do I crouch, then do I kneele, (skin. 
 And wifh my cap were furr'd with fteele, 
 To beare the blows that my poore head doth feele. 
 But our fir Iohn befhrew thy hart, 
 For thou haft ioynd vs we cannot part, 
 And I poore foole, muft euer beare the fmart. 
 
 1900 He tell you what, this morning while I was making me rea- 
 die, fhe came with a holly wand, and lo bleft my moulders that I 
 was faine to runne through a whole Alphabet of faces: now at 
 the laft feeing fhe was fo cramuk with me, I began to fweare all 
 the crifTe croffe row ouer, beginning at great A, litle a, til I cam 
 to w, x, y. And fnatching vp my fheephooke, & my bottle and 
 my bag, like a defperate fellow ranne away, and here now ile fit 
 downe and eate my meate. 
 
 While he is eating, Enter Corcut and his Page, 
 difguifed like mourners. 
 
 1910 Cor. O hatefull hellifh fnake of Tartary^ 
 That feedeft on the foule of nobleft men, 
 Damned ambition, caufe of all miferie, 
 Why doeft thou creep from out thy loathfome fen, 
 And with thy poyfon animateft friends, 
 And gape and long one for the others ends. 
 Selimus, could'ft thou not content thy mind, 
 With the pofieflion of the facred throne, 
 Which thou didft get by fathers death vnkind: 
 Whofe poifon'd ghoft before high God doth grone. 
 
 1920 But thou muft feeke poore Cor cuts ouerthrow, 
 That neuer iniured thee, fo, nor fo? 
 
 Old
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Old Halies Tonnes with two great companie 
 
 Of barded horfe, were fent from Selimus, 
 
 To take me prifoner in Magnefia, 
 
 And death I am fure mould haue befell to me, 
 
 If they had once but fet their eyes on me. 
 
 So thus difguifed my poore Page and I, 
 
 Fled fair, to Smirna, where in a darke caue 
 
 We meant t'await th'arriuall of fome fhip 
 
 That might transfreit vs fafely vnto Rhodes. 1930 
 
 But fee how fortune croft my enterprife. 
 
 Bostangi Bajfa, Selims fonne in law, 
 
 Kept all the fea coafts with his Brigandines, 
 
 That if we had but ventured on the fea, 
 
 I prefently had bene his prifoner. 
 
 Thefe two dayes haue we kept vs in the caue, 
 
 Eating fuch hearbes as the ground did affoord: 
 
 And now through hunger are we both conftrain'd 
 
 Like fearefull fnakes to creep out ftep by ftep, 
 
 And fee if we may get vs any food. 1940 
 
 And in good time, fee yonder fits a man, 
 
 Spreading a hungry dinner on the grafTe. 
 
 Bullithrumble fpies them, and puts vp his meate. 
 
 Bull. Thefe are fome felonians, that feeke to rob me, well, ile 
 make my felfe a good deale valianter then I am indeed, and if 
 they will needes creep into kindred with me, ile betake me to 
 my old occupation, and runne away. 
 
 Corcut. Haile groome. 
 
 Bull. Good Lord fir, you are deceiued, my names mafter Bul- 
 lithrumble: this is fome coufoning conicatching crosbiter, that 1950 
 would faine perfwade me he knowes me, and fo vnder a tence of 
 familiaritie and acquaintance, vncle me of victuals. 
 
 Corcut. Then Bullithrumble, if that be thy name: 
 
 Bull. My name fir 6 Lord yes, and if you wil not beleeue me, 
 I wil bring my godfathers and godmothers, and they fhal fwear 
 it vpon the font-ftone, and vpon the church booke too, where 
 it is written. 
 
 H 2 Bull.
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Bull. Matte, I thinke he be fome Iuftice of peace, ad quorum, 
 and omnium populorum, how he famines me : a chriftian, yes mar- 
 1960 rie am I fir, yes verely and do beleeue: and it pleafe you ile goe 
 forward in my catechifme. 
 
 Corcut. Then Bullithrumble , by that blefled Chrift, 
 And by the tombe where he was buried, 
 By foueraigne hope which thou conceiu'ft in him, 
 Whom dead, as euerliuing thou adoreft. 
 
 Bull. O Lord helpe me, I fhall be torne in peeces with diuels 
 and goblins. 
 
 Corcut. By all the ioyes thou hop' ft to haue in heauen, 
 Giue fome meate to poore hunger-ftarued men. 
 1 970 Bulli. Oh, thefe are as a man mould fay beggars : Now will I 
 be as ftately to them as if I were maifter Pigwiggen our confta- 
 ble: well firs come before me, tell me if I fhould entertain you, 
 would you not fteale? 
 
 Page. If we did meane fo fir, we would not make your wor- 
 fhip acquainted with it. 
 
 Bulli. A good well nutrimented lad: well if you will keepe 
 my fheepe truly and honeftly, keeping your hands from lying 
 and flandering, and your tongues from picking and ftealing, 
 you fhall be maifter Bullithrumbles feruitures. 
 1980 Corcut. With all our hearts. 
 
 Bulli. Then come on and follow me, we will haue a hogges 
 cheek, and a difh of tripes, and a focietie of puddings, & to field: 
 a focietie of puddings, did you marke that well vfed metaphor ? 
 Another would haue faid, a company of puddings: if you dwel 
 with me long firs, I fhall make you as eloquent as our parfon 
 himfelfe. 
 
 Exeunt Corcut, and Bulli thrumble. 
 
 Page. Now is the time when I may be enrich'd. 
 The brethren that were fent by Selimus 
 1990 To take my Lord, Prince Corcut prifoner, 
 Finding him fled, propofed large rewards 
 To them that could declare where he remaines. 
 Faith ile to them and get the portagues, 
 
 Though
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Though by the bargain Corcut loofe his head. 
 
 Exit Page. 
 Enter Selimus , Sinam-bajfa, the courfes of Mufiaffa and Aga, Sc. xxi 
 with funerall pompe, Muftaffa, and the Ianizaries. 
 Seli. Why thus muft Selim blind his fubiect eies, 
 And ftraine his owne to weep for Baiazet. 
 
 They will not dreame I made him away, 2000 
 
 When thus they fee me with religious pompe, 
 To celebrate his tomb-blacke mortarie. (To himfelfe. 
 
 And though my heart caft in an iron mould, 
 Cannot admit the fmalleft dramme of griefe, 
 Yet that I may be thought to loue him well, 
 He mourne in mew, though I reioyce indeed. 
 
 To the courfes. 
 Thus after he hath fiue long ages liu'd, 
 The facred Phoenix of Arabia^ 
 
 Loadeth his wings with pretious perfumes, 2010 
 
 And on the altar of the golden funne, 
 Offers himfelfe a gratefull facrifice. 
 Long didft thou liue triumphant Baiazet, 
 A feare vnto thy greateft enemies, 
 And now that death the conquerour of Kings, 
 Diflodged hath thy neuer dying foule, 
 To flee vnto the heauens from whence me came, 
 And leaue her fraile, earth pauilion, 
 Thy bodie in this auntient monument, 
 Where our great predeceflburs deep in reft: 2020 
 
 Suppofe the Temple of Mahomet. 
 Thy wofull fonne Selimus thus doth place. 
 Thou wert the Phoenix of this age of ours, 
 And diedft wrapped in the fweete perfumes, 
 Of thy magnifkk deeds, whofe lafting praife 
 Mounteth to higheft heauen with golden wings. 
 Princes come beare your Emperour companie 
 In, till the dayes of mourning be ore paft, 
 And then we meane to rouze falfe Acomat, 
 
 H 3 And
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 2030 And caft him foorth of Macedonia. 
 
 Exeunt All. 
 Sc xxii Enter Halt, Cali, Corcuts Page, and one 
 
 or two fouldiers. 
 Page. My Lords, if I bring you not where Corcut is, then let 
 me be hanged, but if I deliuer him vp into your hands, then let 
 me haue the reward due to fo good a deed. 
 
 Hali. Page, if thou mew vs where thy maifter is, 
 Be fure thou fhalt be honoured for the deed, 
 And high exalted aboue other men. 
 2040 Enter Corcut, and Bullithrumble. 
 
 Page. That fame is he, that in difguifed robes, 
 Accompanies yon fhepheard to the fields. 
 
 Cor. The fweet content that country life affoords, 
 PafTeth the royall pleafures of a King : 
 For there our ioyes are interlaced with feares : 
 But here no feare nor care is harboured, 
 But a fweete calme of a moft quiet ftate. 
 Ah Corcut, would thy brother Selimus 
 But let thee Hue, here fhould'ft thou fpend thy life, 
 2050 Feeding thy fheep among thefe graffie lands. 
 But fure I wonder where my Page is gone. 
 Hali. Corcut. 
 
 Corcut. Ay-me, who nameth me? 
 Hali. Hali, the gouernour of Magnefia. 
 Poore prince, thou thoghtft in thefe difguifed weeds, 
 To maske vnfeene : and happily thou might'ft, 
 But that thy Page betraied thee to vs. 
 And be not wrath with vs vnhappie prince, 
 If we do what our foueraigne commands. 
 2060 Tis for thy death that Selim fends for thee. 
 
 Cor. Thus I like poore Ampharaus, fought 
 By hiding my eftate in fhepheards coate, 
 T'efcape the angry wrath of Selimus. 
 But as his wife falfe Eriphyle did 
 Betray his fafetie for a chaine of gold, 
 
 So
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 So my falfe Page hath vilely dealt with me, 
 
 Pray God that thou maift profper fo as fhe. 
 
 Halt, 1 know thou forroweft for my cafe, 
 
 But it is bootleffe, come and let vs go, 
 
 Corcut is readie, fince it is muft be fo. 2070 
 
 Call. Shepheard. 
 
 Buffi. Thats my profeflion fir. 
 
 Call. Come, you muft go with vs. 
 
 Buffi. Who I ? AlafTe fir, I haue a wife and feuenteene cra- 
 dles rocking, two ploughs going, two barnes filling, and a great 
 heard of beafts feeding, and you fhould vtterly vndo me to take 
 me to fuch a great charge. 
 
 Call. Well there is no remedie. 
 
 Exeunt all, but Bullithrumble ftealing from them 
 
 clofely away. 2080 
 
 Buffi. The mores the pitie. Go with you quoth he, marrie 
 
 that had bene the way to preferment, downe Holburne vp Ti- 
 
 burne : well ile keepe my beft ioynt from the ftrappado as well 
 
 as I can hereafter, Ile haue no more feruants. 
 
 Exit running away. 
 
 Enter Selimus, Sinam-Bajfa, Mujlaffa, and Se. xxiii 
 
 the Ianizaries. 
 
 Seli. Sinam, we heare our brother Acomat 
 Is fled away from Macedonia^ 
 
 To aske for aide of Perfian Ifmael, 2090 
 
 And the ^Egyptian Soldane our chiefe foes. 
 
 Sinam. Herein my Lord I like his enterprife, 
 For if they giue him aide as fure they will, 
 Being your highnefTe vowed enemies, 
 You fhall haue iuft caufe for to warre on them, 
 For giuing fuccour gainft you, to your foe. 
 You know they are two mightie Potentates, 
 And may be hurtfull neighbours to your grace, 
 And to enrich the Turkiih Diademe. 
 
 With
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 2100 With two fo worthie kingdomes as they are, 
 Would be eternall glorie to your name. 
 
 Seli. By heauens Sinam, th'art a warriour, 
 And worthie counceller vnto a King. 
 
 Sound within. Enter Cali and Halt, with 
 Corcut and his Page. 
 How now, what newes ? 
 
 Cali. My gratious Lord, we here prefent to you 
 Your brother Corcut, whom in Smirna coafts 
 Feeding a flocke of fheepe vpon a downe, 
 21 10 His traitrous Page betraied to our hands. 
 
 Seli. Thanks ye bold brethren, but for that falfe part, 
 Let the vile Page be famifhed to death. 
 
 Corcut. Selim, in this I fee thou art a Prince, 
 To punifh treafon with condigne reward. 
 
 Seli. O fir, I loue the fruite that treafon brings, 
 But thofe that are the traitors, them I hate. 
 But Corcut could not your Philofophie 
 Keepe you fafe from my Ianizaries hands. 
 We thought you had old Gyges wondrous ring, 
 2120 That fo you were inuifible to vs. 
 
 Cor. Selim, thou dealft vnkindly with thy brother, 
 To feeke my death, and make a ieft of me. 
 Vpbraid'ft thou me with my philofophie? 
 Why this I learn'd by ftudying learned arts, 
 That I can beare my fortune as it falles, 
 And that I feare no whit thy crueltie, 
 Since thou wilt deale no otherwife with me, 
 Then thou haft dealt with aged Baiazet. 
 
 Seli. By heauens Corcut, thou fhalt furely die, 
 2 1 30 For flandring Selim with my fathers death. 
 
 Cor. The let me freely fpeak my mind this once, 
 For thou fhalt neuer heare me fpeake againe. 
 
 Sel. Nay we can giue fuch loofers leaue to fpeak. 
 
 Cor. Then Selim, heare thy brothers dying words, 
 And marke them well, for ere thou die thy felfe, 
 
 Thou
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Thou fhalt perceiue all things will come to pafle, 
 
 That Coreut doth diuine before his death. 
 
 Since my vaine flight from faire Magnefia y 
 
 Selim I haue conuerft with Chriftians, 
 
 And learn'd of them the way to faue my foule, 2140 
 
 And pleafe the anger of the higheft God. 
 
 Tis he that made this pure Chriftalline vault 
 
 Which hangeth ouer our vnhappie heads, 
 
 From thence he doth behold each finners fault: 
 
 And though our finnes vnder our feete he treads, 
 
 And for a while feeme for to winke at vs, 
 
 But is to recall vs from our wayes. 
 
 But if we do like head-ftrong fonnes neglect 
 
 To hearken to our louing fathers voyce, 
 
 Then in his anger will he vs reiect, 2150 
 
 And giue vs ouer to our wicked choyce. 
 
 Selim before his dreadfull maieftie, 
 
 There lies a booke written with bloudie lines, 
 
 Where our offences all are regiftred. 
 
 Which if we do not haftily repent, 
 
 We are referu'd to lading punifhment. 
 
 Thou wretched Selimus haft greateft need 
 
 To ponder thefe things in thy fecret thoughts, 
 
 If thou confider what ftrange maflacres 
 
 And cruell murthers thou haft caus'd be done. 2160 
 
 Thinke on the death of wofull Baiazet. 
 
 Doth not his ghoaft ftil haunt thee for reuenge? 
 
 Selim in Chiurlu didft thou fet vpon 
 
 Our aged father in his fodaine flight: 
 
 In Chiurlu fhalt thou die a greeuous death. 
 
 And if thou wilt not change thy greedie mind, 
 
 Thy foule (hall be tormented in darke hell, 
 
 Where woe, and woe, and neuer ceafing woe, 
 
 Shall found about thy euer-damned foule. 
 
 Now Selim I haue fpoken, let me die: 2170 
 
 I neuer will intreate thee for my life. 
 
 I Selim
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Selim farewell : thou God of Chriftians, 
 
 Receiue my dying foule into thy hands. (Strangles him. 
 
 Seli. What is he dead ? then Selimus is fafe, 
 
 And hath no more corriuals in the crowne. 
 
 For as for Acomat he foone fhall fee, 
 
 His Perfian aide cannot faue him from me. 
 
 Now Sinam march to faire Amafia walles, 
 
 Where Acomats ftout Queene immures her felfe, 
 2180 And girt the citie with a warlike fiege, 
 
 For fince her husband is my enemy, 
 
 I fee no caufe why fhe mould be my friend. 
 
 They fay yoong Amurath and Aladin> 
 
 Her baftard brood, are come to fuccour her. 
 
 But ile preuent this their officioufnefle, 
 
 And fend their foule downe to their grandfather. 
 
 Mustaffa you fhall keepe Bizantium, 
 
 While I and Sinam girt Amafia. 
 
 Exit Selimus^ Sinam^ Ianizaries all faue one. 
 2190 Mufi. It grieues my foule that Baiazets faire line, 
 
 Should be eclipfed thus by Selimus, 
 
 Whofe cruell foule will neuer be at reft 
 
 Till none remaine of Ottomans faire race 
 
 But he himfelfe : yet for old Baiazet 
 
 Loued Mustaffa deare vnto his death, 
 
 I will mew mercy to his familie. 
 
 Go firra, poaft to Acomats yoong fonnes, 
 
 And bid them as they meane to faue their Hues, 
 
 To flie in hafte from faire Amafia^ 
 2200 Leaft cruell Selim put them to the fword. 
 
 Exit one to Amurath and Aladin. 
 
 And now Mujlaffa, prepare thou thy necke, 
 
 For thou art next to die by Selims hands. 
 
 Stearne Sinam Bajfa, grudgeth ftill at thee, 
 
 And crabbed Hali ftormeth at thy life, 
 
 All repine that thou art honour'd fo, 
 
 To be the brother of their Emperour. 
 
 Enter
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Enter Solyma. 
 But wherefore comes my louely Solyma ? 
 
 Soly. Mufiaffa I am come to feeke thee out, 2210 
 
 If euer thy diftrefled Solyma, 
 Found grace and fauour in thy manly heart: 
 Flie hence with me vnto fome defert land, 
 For if we tarry here we are but dead. 
 This night when faire Lucinaes mining waine, 
 Was paft the chaire of bright CaJJiopey, 
 A fearefull vifion appear'd to me. 
 Me thought Mujlaffa, I beheld thy necke 
 So often folded in my louing armes, 
 
 In foule difgrace of Baflaes faire degree, 2220 
 
 With a vile haltar bafely compaffed. 
 And while I powr'd my teares on thy dead corpes, 
 A greedie lyon with wide gaping throate, 
 Seaz'd on my trembling bodie with his feete, 
 And in a moment rent me all to nought. 
 Flie fweet Mustaffa, or we be but dead, 
 
 Muji. Why mould we flie beauteous Solyma y 
 Mou'd by a vaine and a fantaftique dreame? 
 Or if we did flie, whither mould we flie? 
 
 If to the fartheft part of Afia, 2230 
 
 Know'ft thou not Solyma, kings hane long hands? 
 Come, come, my ioy, returne againe with me, 
 And banifh hence thefe melancholy thoughts. {Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Aladin, Murath, the meflenger. Sc. xxiv 
 
 Aladin. Meflenger is it true that Selimus 
 Is not far hence encamped with his hofte? 
 And meanes he to difioyne the haplefle fonnes 
 From helping our diftrefled mothers towne? 
 
 Mejf. Tis true my Lord, and if you loue your Hues 
 Flie from the bounds of his dominions, 2240 
 
 For he you know is moft vnmercifull. 
 
 Amu. Here meflenger take this for thy reward. Exilmeff. 
 But we fweet Aladin, let vs depart, 
 Now in the quiet filence of the night 
 
 I 2 That
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 That ere the windowes of the morne be ope, 
 We may be far inough from Selimus. 
 2247 He to Aegyptus. 
 
 Alinda. I to Perfia. {Exeunt. 
 
 Sc. xxv Enter Selimus, Sinam, Hali, Cali, Ianizaries. 
 Seli. But is it certaine Halt they are gone ? 
 And that Mufiaffa moued them to flie ? 
 
 Hali. Certaine my Lord, I met the meflenger 
 As he returned from yoong Alinda : 
 And learned of them, Mujiaffa, was the man 
 That certified the Princes of your will. 
 
 Seli. It is inough : Mujiaffa mall abie 
 At a deare price his pitifull intent. 
 Hali go fetch Mujiaffa and his wife. {Exit Hali. 
 For though me be fifter to Selimus, 
 2260 Yet loues me him better then Selimus. 
 So that if he do die at our command, 
 And me mould Hue : foone wold me worke a mean 
 To worke reuenge for her Mustaffas death. 
 
 Enter Hali, Mujiaffa, and Solima. 
 Falfe of thy faith, and traitor to thy king, 
 Did we fo highly alway honour thee, 
 And doeft thou thus requite our loue with treafon, 
 For why fhould'ft thou fend to yoong Alinda, 
 And Amurath, the fonnes of Acomat, 
 2270 To giue them notice of our fecrecies, 
 Knowing they were my vowed enemies ? 
 
 Must. I do not feeke to leflbn my offence 
 Great Selimus, but truly do proteft 
 I did it not for hatred of your grace, 
 So helpe me God and holy Mahomet. 
 But for I grieu'd to fee the famous ftocke 
 Of worth ie Baiazet fall to decay, 
 Therefore I fent the Princes both away. 
 Your highneffe knowes Mujiaffa was the man 
 2280 That fau'd you in the battell of Churlu, 
 
 When
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 When I and all the warlike Ianizaries 
 
 Had hedg'd your perfon in a dangerous ring. 
 
 Yet I tooke pitie on your daunger there, 
 
 And made a way for you to fcape by flight. 
 
 But thofe your BafTaes haue incenfed you, 
 
 Repining at Muftaffas dignitie. 
 
 Stearne Sinam grindes his angry teeth at me. 
 
 Old Halies fonnes do bend their browes at me, 
 
 And are agrieued that Mustaffa hath 
 
 Shewed himfelfe a better man then they. 2290 
 
 And yet the Ianizars mourne for me, 
 
 They know Muftaffa neuer proued falfe. 
 
 I, I haue bene as true to Selimus, 
 
 As euer fubiect to his foueraigne, 
 
 So helpe me God and holy Mahomet. 
 
 Seli. You did it not becaufe you hated vs, 
 But for you lou'd the fonnes of Acomat. 
 Sinam, I charge thee quickly ftrangle him, 
 He loues not me that loues mine enemies. 
 
 As for your holy proteftation, 2300 
 
 It cannot enter into Selims eares : 
 For why Muftaffa ? euery marchant man 
 Will praife his own ware be it ne'r fo bad. 
 
 Solima. For Solimas fake mightie Selimus, 
 Spare my Muftaffas life, and let me die : 
 Or if thou wilt not be fo gratious, 
 Yet let me die before I fee his death. 
 
 Seli. Nay Solima, your felfe (hall alfo die, 
 Becaufe you may be in the felfefame fault. 
 
 Why ftai'ft thou Sinam ? ftrangle him I fay. 2310 
 
 Sinam ftrangles him. 
 
 Soli. Ah Selimus, he made thee Emperour, 
 And wilt thou thus requite his benefits ? 
 Thou art a cruell tygre and no man, 
 That coul'ft endure to fee before thy face, 
 So braue a man as my Muftaffa was, 
 
 I 3 Cruelly
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Cruelly ftrangled for fo fmall a fault. 
 
 Seli. Thou fhalt not after Hue him Solima. 
 
 Twere pitie thou fhould'ft want the company 
 2320 Of thy deare husband: Sinam ftrangle her. 
 
 And now to faire Amafia let vs march. 
 
 Acomats wife, and her vnmanly hoaft, 
 
 Will not be able to endure our fight, 
 
 Much lefTe make ftrong refiftance in hard fight. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 Sc xxvi Enter Acomat^ Tonombeius, Vifir^ Regan , and 
 
 their fouldiers. 
 Aco. Welcome my Lords into my natiue foyle, 
 
 The crowne whereof by right is due to me : 
 2330 Though Selim by the Ianizaries choyce, 
 
 Through vfurpation keep the fame from me. 
 
 You know contrary to my fathers mind, 
 
 He was enthronized by the BafTaes will, 
 
 And after his enftalling, wickedly 
 
 By poyfon made good Baiazet to die. 
 
 And ftrangled Corcut^ and exiled me. 
 
 Thefe iniuries we come for to reuenge, 
 
 And raife his fiege from faire Amafia walles. 
 
 Tonom. Prince of Amafia^ and the rightful heire 
 2340 Vnto the mightie Turkifh Diadem : 
 
 With willing heart great Tonombey hath left 
 
 ./Egyptian Nilus and my fathers court, 
 
 To aide thee in thy vndertaken warre, 
 
 And by the great Vfancajfanos ghoaft, 
 
 Companion vnto mightie Tamberlaine, 
 
 From whom my father lineally defcends, 
 
 Fortune fhall fhew her felfe too crofle to me, 
 
 But we will thruft Selimus from his throne, 
 
 And reueft Acomat in the Empiric 
 2350 Aco. Thanks to the vncontrolled Tonombey. 
 
 But let vs hafte vs to Amafia^ 
 
 To fuccour my befieged citizens. 
 
 None
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 None but my Queene is ouerfeer there, 
 And too too weake is all her pollicie, 
 Againft fo great a foe as Selimus. 
 
 Exeunt All 
 Enter Selimus , Sinam, Hali, Cali, and the Sc. xxvii 
 
 Ianizaries. 
 
 Sell. Summon a parley firs, that we may know 
 Whether thefe Mumroms here will yeeld or no. 2360 
 
 A parley : Queene of Amajia, and her fouldiers 
 on the walles. 
 
 Queen. What craueft thou bloud-thirftie parricide ? 
 Ift not inough that thou haft foulely flaine, 
 Thy louing father noble Baiazet, 
 And ftrangled Corcut thine vnhappie brother 
 Slaine braue Muftaffa, and faire Solima ? 
 Becaufe they fauoured my vnhappie fonnes, 
 But thou muft yet feeke for more maflacres? 
 Go, wafh thy guiltie hands in luke-warme blood. 2370 
 
 Enrich thy fouldiers with robberies : 
 Yet do the heauens ftill beare an equall eye, 
 And vengeance followes thee euen at the heeles. 
 
 Seli. Queene of Amafia^ wilt thou yeeld thy felfe ? 
 Queen. Firft mail the ouer-flowing Euripus 
 Of fwift Eub<ea ftop his reftleffe courfe 
 And Phtebs bright globe bring the day fr5 the weft, 
 And quench his hot flames in the Efterne fea. 
 Thy bloudie fword vngratious Selimus 
 
 Sheath'd in the bowels of thy deareft friends: 2380 
 
 Thy wicked gard which ftill attends on thee, 
 Flefhing themfelues in murther, luft, and rape : 
 What hope of fauour? what fecuritie? 
 Rather what death do they not promife me? 
 Then thinke not Selimus that we will yeeld, 
 But looke for ftrong refiiftance at our hands. 
 
 Seli } Why then you neuer danted Ianizaries, 
 Aduance your fhields and vncontrolled fpeares, 
 
 Your
 
 The fir ft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Your conquering hands in foe-mens blood embay, 
 2390 For Selimus himfelfe will lead the way. 
 
 Allarum, beats them off the walles. Allarum. 
 
 Sc.xxviii Enter Selimus, Sinam y Hali, Cali y Ianizaries, with 
 
 Acomats Qyeene prifoner. 
 Se. Now fturdie dame, where are your men of war 
 
 To gard your perfon from my angry fword ? 
 
 What ? though brau'd vs on your citie walles, 
 
 Like to that Amanonian Menalip, 
 
 Leauing the bankes of fwift-ftream'd Thermodon 
 
 To challenge combat with great Hercules : 
 2400 Yet Selimus hath pluckt your haughtie plumes, 
 
 Nor can your fpoufe rebellious Acomat, 
 
 Nor Alinda, or Amurath your fonnes, 
 
 Deliuer you from our victorious hands. 
 
 Queen. Selim I fcorne thy threatnings as thy felfe. 
 
 And though ill hap hath giuen me to thy hands, 
 
 Yet will I neuer beg my life of thee. 
 
 Fortune may chance to frowne as much on thee. 
 
 And Acomat whom thou doeft fcorne fo much, 
 
 May take thy bafe Tartarian concubine, 
 2410 As well as thou haft tooke his loyall Queene. 
 
 Thou haft not fortune tied in a chaine, 
 
 Nor doeft thou like a warie pilot fit, 
 
 And wifely ftir this all conteining barge. 
 
 Thou art a man as thofe whom thou haft flaine, 
 
 And fome of them were better far then thou. 
 Seli. Strangle her Hali, let her fcold no more. 
 
 Now let vs march to meet with Acomat, 
 
 He brings with him that great ^Egyptian bug, 
 
 Strong Tonombey, Vfan-Cajfanos fonne. 
 2420 But we mall foone with our fine tempered fwords, 
 
 Engraue our proweffe on their buganets, 
 
 Were they as mightie and as fell of force, 
 
 As thofe old earth-bred brethren, which once 
 
 Heape
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Heape hill on hill to fcale the ftarrie skie, 
 When Briareus arm'd with a hundreth hands, 
 Flung foorth a hundreth mountaines at great hue, 
 And when the monftrous giant Monichus 
 
 Hurld mount Olimpus at great Mars his targe, 2+28 
 
 And darted cedars at Mineruas fhield. Exeunt All. 
 Allarum. Enter Selimus, Sinam, Call, Halt, and the Ianizaties, Sc. xxix 
 at one doore, and Acomat, Tonombey, Regan, Vijfr, and their 
 fouldiers at another. 
 
 Seli. What are the vrchins crept out of their dens, 
 Vnder the conduct of this porcupine? 
 Doeft thou not tremble Acomat at vs, 
 To fee how courage masketh in our lookes, 
 And white-wing'd victorie fits on our fwordes? 
 Captaine of iEgypt, thou that vant'ft thy felfe 
 Sprung from great Tamberlaine the Scythia theefe, 
 Who bad the enterprife this bold attempt, 244° 
 
 To fet thy feete within the Turkifh confines, 
 Or lift thy hands againft our maieftie? 
 
 Aco. Brother of Trebifond, your fquared words, 
 And broad-mouth'd tearmes, can neuer conquer vs. 
 We come refolu'd to pull the Turkifh crowne, 
 Which thou doeft wrongfully detaine from me, 
 By conquering fword from of thy coward creft. 
 
 Seli. Acomat, fith the quarrell toucheth none 
 But thee and me : I dare, and challenge thee. 
 
 Tonum. Should he accept the combat of a boy ? 2450 
 
 Whofe vnripe yeares and farre vnriper wit 
 Like to the bold foole-hardie Photon 
 That fought to rule the chariot of the funne, 
 Hath mou'd thee t'vndertake an Empiric 
 
 Seli. Thou that refolueft in peremptorie tearmes, 
 To call him boy that fcornes to cope with thee : 
 But thou canft better vfe thy bragging blade, 
 Then thou canft rule thy ouerfl owing tongue, 
 Soone fhalt thou know that Selims mightie arme 
 
 K Is
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 2460 Is able to ouerthrow poore Tonombey. 
 
 Allarum, Tonombey beates Hali and Call in. 
 Selim beats Tonombey in. Allarum, 
 St. xxx Exit Tonombey. 
 
 Tonom. The field is loft, and Acomat is taken. 
 Ah Tonombey, how canft thou mew thy face 
 To thy victorious fire, thus conquered. 
 A matchlefle knight is warlike Selimus. 
 And like a mepheard mongft a fwarme of gnats, 
 Dings downe the flying Perfians with their fwords. 
 2470 Twice I encountred with him hand to hand, 
 And twice returned foyled and afham'd. 
 For neuer yet fince 1 could manage Armes, 
 Could any match with mightie Tonombey, 
 But this heroicke Emperour Selimus. 
 Why ftand I ftill, and rather do not flie 
 The great occifion which the victors make? 
 
 Exit Tonombey. 
 Sc xxxi Allarum. Enter Selimus, Sinam Bajfa, with 
 Acomat prifoner, Hali, Cali, Ianizaries. 
 2480 Seli. Thus when the coward Greeks fled to their fhips, 
 The noble Hector all befmear'd in blood, 
 Return'd in triumph to the walles of Troy. 
 A gallant trophee, Baflaes haue we wonne, 
 Beating the neuer-foyled Tonombey, 
 And hewing paftage through the Perfians. 
 As when a lyon rauing for his praie, 
 Falleth vpon a droaue of horned balles, 
 And rends them ftrongly in his kingly pawes. 
 Or Mars arm'd in his adamantiue coate, 
 2490 Mounted vpon his firie-fhining waine, 
 Scatters the troupes of warlike Thracians, 
 And warmes cold Hebras with hot ftreams of blood. 
 Braue Sinam, for thy noble prifoner, 
 Thou fhalt be generall of my Ianizaries. 
 
 And
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 And Belierbey of faire Natalia. 
 
 Now Acomat, thou monfter of the world, 
 
 Why ftoup'ft thou not with reuerence to thy king? 
 
 Aco. Selim if thou haue gotten victorie, 
 Then vfe it to thy contentation. 
 
 If I had conquer'd, know affuredly 2500 
 
 I would haue faid as much and more to thee. 
 Know I disdaine them as I do thy felfe, 
 And fcorne to ftoupe or bend my Lordly knee, 
 To fuch a tyrant as is Selimus. 
 Thou flew'ft my Queene without regard or care, 
 Of loue or dutie, or thine owne good name. 
 Then Selim take that which thy hap doth giue, 
 Difgra'ft, difplai'ft, I longer loath to Hue. 
 
 Self. Then Sinam ftrangle him : now he is dead, 
 Who doth remaine to trouble Selimus} 2510 
 
 Now am I King alone and none but I. 
 
 For fince my fathers death vntill this time, 
 
 I neuer wanted fome competitors. 
 
 Now as the weerie wandring traueller 
 
 That hath his fteppes guided through many lands, 
 
 Through boiling foile of Africa and JW, 
 
 When he returnes vnto his natiue home : 
 
 Sits downe among his friends, and with delight 
 
 Declares the trauels he hath ouerpaft. 
 
 So maift thou Selimus^ for thou haft trode 2520 
 
 The monfter-garden paths, that lead to crownes. 
 
 Ha, ha, I fmile to thinke how Selimus 
 
 Like the ./Egyptian Ibis hath expelled 
 
 Thofe fwarming armies of fwift-winged fnakes, 
 
 That fought to ouerrun my territories, 
 
 When foultring heat the earths green childre fpoiles 
 
 From foorth the fennes of venemous Africa^ 
 
 The generation of thofe flying fnakes, 
 
 Do band themfelues in troupes, and take their way 
 
 To Nilus bounds: but thofe induftrious birds, 2530 
 
 K 2 Thofe
 
 The firft part of the Tragicall raigne 
 
 Thofe Ibides meete them in fet array, 
 
 And eate them vp like to a fwarme of gnats, 
 
 Preuenting fuch a mifchiefe from the land. 
 
 But fee how vnkind nature deales with them : 
 
 From out their egges rifes the bafiliske, 
 
 Whofe onely fight killes millions of men. 
 
 When Acomat lifted his vngratious hands 
 
 Againft my aged father Baiazet. 
 
 They fent for me, and I like Mgipts bird 
 
 2540 Haue rid that monfter, and his fellow mates. 
 But as from Ibis fprings the Ba/ilisk> 
 Whofe onely touch burneth vp ftones and trees. 
 So Selimus hath prou'd a Cocatrice, 
 And cleane confumed all the familie 
 Of noble Ottoman, except himfelfe. 
 And now to you my neighbour Emperours, 
 That durft lend ayd to Selims enemies, 
 Sinam thofe Soldanes of the Orient, 
 Aegipt and Perfia, Selimus will quell, 
 
 2550 Or he himfelfe will fincke to loweft hell. 
 
 This winter will we reft and breath our felues : 
 But foone as Zephyrus fweete fmelling blaft 
 Shall greatly creep ouer the flourie meades, 
 Wee'll haue a fling at the ^Egyptian crowne, 
 And ioyne it vnto ours, or loofe our owne. 
 
 Exeunt.
 
 of Selimus, Emperour of the Turkes. 
 
 Conclufion. 
 
 Thus haue we brought victorious Selimus, 
 Vnto the Crowne of great Arabia: 
 Next mall you fee him with trinmphant fword, 
 Diuiding kingdomes into equall mares, 
 And giue them to their warlike followers. 
 If this flrfl: part Gentles, do like you well, 
 The fecond part, mall greater murthers tell. 
 
 FINIS.
 
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