[12] forward for renown?
Go, Menaphon, go into Scythia,
And foot by foot follow Theridamas.

COSROE. Nay, pray you, [13] let him stay; a greater [task]
Fits Menaphon than warring with a thief:
Create him pro-rex of all [14] Africa,
That he may win the Babylonians' hearts,
Which will revolt from Persian government,
Unless they have a wiser king than you.

MYCETES. Unless they have a wiser king than you!
These are his words; Meander, set them down.

COSROE. And add this to them,--that all Asia
Lament to see the folly of their king.

MYCETES. Well, here I swear by this my royal seat--

COSROE. You may do well to kiss it, then.

MYCETES. Emboss'd with silk as best beseems my state,
To be reveng'd for these contemptuous words!
O, where is duty and allegiance now?
Fled to the Caspian or the Ocean main?
What shall I call thee? brother? no, a foe;
Monster of nature, shame unto thy stock,
That dar'st presume thy sovereign for to mock!--
Meander, come: I am abus'd, Meander.

[Exeunt all except COSROE and MENAPHON.]

MENAPHON. How now, my lord! what, mated [15] and amaz'd
To hear the king thus threaten like himself!

COSROE. Ah, Menaphon, I pass not [16] for his threats!
The plot is laid by Persian noblemen
And captains of the Median garrisons
To crown me emperor of Asia:
But this it is that doth excruciate
The very substance of my vexed soul,
To see our neighbours, that were wont to quake
And tremble at the Persian monarch's name,
Now sit and laugh our regiment [17] to scorn;
And that which might resolve [18] me into tears,
Men from the farthest equinoctial line
Have swarm'd in troops into the Eastern India,
Lading their ships [19] with gold and precious stones,
And made their spoils from all our provinces.

MENAPHON. This should entreat your highness to rejoice,
Since Fortune gives you opportunity
To gain the title of a conqueror
By curing of this maimed empery.
Afric and Europe bordering on your land,
And continent to your dominions,
How easily may you, with a mighty host,
Pass [20] into Graecia, as did Cyrus once,
And cause them to withdraw their forces home,
Lest you [21] subdue the pride of Christendom!

[Trumpet within.]

COSROE. But, Me