Prologue.

Written in 1587 or 1588

A play loosely based on the life of Central Asian emperor Timur "the lame". It was a milestone in Elizabethan public drama because it was a turn from the clumsy language and loose plotting of the earlier Tudor dramatists to fresh and vivid language, memorable action, and intellectual complexity.

Prologue:

The general welcomes Tamburlaine receiv'd,
When he arrived last upon the stage,
Have made our poet pen his Second Part,
Where Death cuts off the progress of his pomp,
And murderous Fates throw all his triumphs down.
But what became of fair Zenocrate,
And with how many cities' sacrifice
He celebrated her sad funeral,
Himself in presence shall unfold at large.