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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
TAMBURLAINE THE
GREAT （FIRST PART）
EDITED BY THE REV。 ALEXANDER DYCE。
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
Tamburlaine the Great。 Who； from a Scythian Shephearde by his rare
and woonderfull Conquests； became a most puissant and mightye
Monarque。 And （for his tyranny； and terrour in Warre） was tearmed； The
Scourge of God。 Deuided into two Tragicall Discourses； as they were
sundrie times shewed vpon Stages in the Citie of London。 By the right
honorable the Lord Admyrall； his seruauntes。 Now first； and newlie
published。 London。 Printed by Richard Ihones： at the signe of the Rose
and Crowne neere Holborne Bridge。 1590。 4to。
The above title…page is pasted into a copy of the FIRST PART OF
TAMBURLAINE in the Library at Bridge…water House； which copy；
excepting that title…page and the Address to the Readers； is the impression
of 1605。 I once supposed that the title…pages which bear the dates 1605
and 1606 （see below） had been added to the 4tos of the TWO PARTS of
the play originally printed in 1590； but I am now convinced that both
PARTS were really reprinted； THE FIRST PART in 1605； and THE
SECOND PART in 1606； and that nothing remains of the earlier 4tos；
except the title…page and the Address to the Readers； which are preserved
in the Bridge… water collection。
In the Bodleian Library； Oxford； is an 8vo edition of both PARTS OF
TAMBURLAINE； dated 1590： the title…page of THE FIRST PART agrees
verbatim with that given above； the half…title…page of THE SECOND
PART is as follows；
The Second Part of The bloody Conquests of mighty Tamburlaine。
With his impassionate fury； for the death of his Lady and loue faire
Zenocrate； his fourme of exhortacion and discipline to his three sons； and
the maner of his own death。
In the Garrick Collection； British Museum； is an 8vo edition of both
PARTS dated 1592： the title…page of THE FIRST PART runs thus；
Tamburlaine the Great。 Who； from a Scythian Shepheard； by his rare
and wonderfull Conquestes； became a most puissant and mightie
Mornarch ＇sic＇： And （for his tyrannie； and terrour in warre） was tearmed；
The Scourge of God。 The first part of the two Tragicall discourses； as they
were sundrie times most stately shewed vpon Stages in the Citie of
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
London。 By the right honorable the Lord Admirall； his seruauntes。 Now
newly published。 Printed by Richard Iones； dwelling at the signe of the
Rose and Crowne neere Holborne Bridge。
The half…title…page of THE SECOND PART agrees exactly with that
already given。 Perhaps the 8vo at Oxford and that in the British Museum
（for I have not had an opportunity of comparing them） are the same
impression； differing only in the title…pages。
Langbaine （ACCOUNT OF ENGL。 DRAM。 POETS； p。 344） mentions
an 8vo dated 1593。
The title…pages of the latest impressions of THE TWO PARTS are as
follows；
Tamburlaine the Greate。 Who； from the state of a Shepheard in
Scythia； by his rare and wonderfull Conquests； became a most puissant
and mighty Monarque。 London Printed for Edward White； and are to be
solde at the little North doore of Saint Paules…Church； at the signe of the
Gunne； 1605。 4to。
Tamburlaine the Greate。 With his impassionate furie； for the death of
his Lady and Loue fair Zenocrate： his forme of exhortation and discipline
to his three Sonnes； and the manner of his owne death。 The second part。
London Printed by E。 A。 for Ed。 White； and are to be solde at his Shop
neere the little North doore of Saint Paules Church at the Signe of the Gun。
1606。 4to。
The text of the present edition is given from the 8vo of 1592； collated
with the 4tos of 1605…6。
TO THE GENTLEMEN…READERS AND OTHERS THAT TAKE
PLEASURE IN READING HISTORIES。
Gentlemen and courteous readers whosoever： I have here published in
print； for your sakes； the two tragical discourses of the Scythian shepherd
Tamburlaine； that became so great a conqueror and so mighty a monarch。
My hope is； that they will be now no less acceptable unto you to read after
your serious affairs and studies than they have been lately delightful for
many of you to see when the same were shewed in London upon stages。 I
have purposely omitted and left out some fond and frivolous gestures；
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
digressing； and； in my poor opinion； far unmeet for the matter； which I
thought might seem more tedious unto the wise than any way else to be
regarded； though haply they have been of some vain…conceited fondlings
greatly gaped at； what time they were shewed upon the stage in their
graced deformities： nevertheless now to be mixtured in print with such
matter of worth； it would prove a great disgrace to so honourable and
stately a history。 Great folly were it in me to commend unto your wisdoms
either the eloquence of the author that writ them or the worthiness of the
matter itself。 I therefore leave unto your learned censures both the one
and the other； and myself the poor printer of them unto your most
courteous and favourable protection； which if you vouchsafe to accept；
you shall evermore bind me to employ what travail and service I can to the
advancing and pleasuring of your excellent degree。 Yours； most humble at
commandment； R＇ichard＇ J＇ones＇； printer。
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TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT
THE PROLOGUE。
From jigging veins of rhyming mother…wits； And such conceits as
clownage keeps in pay； We'll lead you to the stately tent of war； Where
you shall hear the Scythian Tamburlaine Threatening the world with high
astounding terms； And scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword。
View but his picture in this tragic glass； And then applaud his fortunes as
you please。
DRAMATIS PERSONAE。