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TAMERLANE. This tragedy was first acted at the theatre in Lincoln's-inn Fields in 1702, was received with great applause, and still continues to be a favou. rite. The character of Tamerlane is said to have been written to convey a compliment to King William III. from a supposed resemblance between the two heroes : and, in consequence, it was a custom to act the play both in London and Dublin on the 4th and 5th of November; the first being King William's birth-day, the latter the anniversary of his landing on the coast of England.

TAMERLANE was the second play written by Mr. Rowe; and he always used to speak of it as his most favourite production.

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1 Of all the Muse's various labours, none

Have lasted longer, or have higher flown,
Than those that tell the fame by ancient heroes won.
With pleasure, Rome, and great Augustus, heard
“ Arms and the man" sung by the Mantuan bard.
In spite of time, the sacred story lives,
And Cæsar and his empire still survives.
Like bim (though much onequal to his flame)
Our author makes a pious prince his theme:
High with the foremost names in arms he stood,
Had fought and suffer'd for his country's good,
Yet songht not fame, but peace, in fields of blood,
Safe under bim bis happy people sate,
And griev'd at distance for their neighbours fate :
Whilst with success a Turkish monarch crown'd,
Like spreading flame, deform’d the nations round;
With sword and fire he forc'd his impious way
To lawless power, and universal sway.
Some abject states for fear the tyrant join,
Others for gold their liberties resign,
And venal princes sold their right divine :
Till heav'n, the growing evil to redress,
Sent Tamerlane to give the world a peace.
The hero, rous'd; asserts the glorious cause,
And to the field the cheerful soldier draws:
Arvond in crowds his valiant leaders wait,
Anxious for glory, and secure of fate;
Well pleas’d, once more to venture on his side,
And prove that faith again, which had so oft been try'd.
The peaceful fathers, who in senate meet,
Approve an enterprize so just, so great;
While with their prince's arins, their voice thus join'd,
Gains half the praise of having sav'd mankind.

Evin in a circle, where, like this, the fair
Were met, the bright assembly did declare,
Their bouse, with one consent, were for the war;

S
Each org'd her lover to unsheath his sword,
And never spare a man who broke his word.
Tbus fir'd, the brave on to the danger press; 2.
Their arms were crown'd abroad with just success,
And blest at home with beauty and with peace.

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ACT

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
As originally acted in Lincoln's-inn Fields.
Tamerlane.

Mr. Betlerton.
Moneses .

Mr. Powell, Axalla .

Mr. Booth. Omar

Mr. Freeman. Stratocles

Mr. Pack. Prince of Tanais

Mr. Fieldhouse. Mirvan

Mr. Cory. Zama

Mr. Husbands. Bajuzet

Mr. Verbruggen. Haly.

Mr. Baily, Dervise

Mr. Arnold. Selima

Mrs. Barry. Arpasia

Mrs. Bracegirdle.

.

SCENE

.

Drury Lane, 1815. Covent Garden, 1805.
Tamerlane
Mr. Pope.

Mr. H. Siddons.
Moneses
Mr. Rae.

Mr. H. Johostone.
Aralla

Mr. Wallack. Mr. Brunton. Omar.

Mr. R. Phillips. Mr. Cory. Stratocles

Mr. Barnard. Mr. Claremont. Prince of Tanais . Mr. Coveney:

Mr. Beverly. Mirvan

Mr. Ebsworth, Mr. Williams. Zama.

Mr. Cooke. Mr. Curties. Bajazet

Mr. Kean. Mr. Cooke. Haly

Mr. Kent. Mr. Atkins. Dervise .

Mr. Powell. Mr. Chapman. Selima

Miss L. Kelly. Mrs. H. Siddons. Arpasia

Mrs. Bartley Mrs. Litchfield.

Guards, Mutes, and Attendunts.
SCENE-The Camps of TAMERLANE, near Angoria

in Galatia.