Of some young persons, whose uncommon beauty, And graceful carriage, make it seem suspicious They are not what they seem: I therefore sent The captain of my guards, this morning early, .. With orders to secure and bring them to me.

Enter RhodoPHIL and PALAMEDE. O, here he is.—Have you performed my will? Rho. Sir, those, whom you commanded me to

bring, Are waiting in the walks.

Poly. Conduct them hither. Rho. First, give me leave To beg your notice of this gentleman. Poly. He seems to merit it. His name and qua

lity? Rho. Palamede, son to lord Cleodemus of Pa

lermo, And new returned from travel

[PALAMEDE approaches, and kneels to kiss the

King's hand.
Poly. You are welcome.
I knew your father well, he was both brave
And honest; we two once were fellow soldiers
In the last civil wars.

Pala. I bring the same unquestion'd honesty
And zeal to serve your majesty; the courage
You were pleased to praise in him,
Your royal prudence, and your people's love, .
Will never give me leave to try, like him,
In civil wars; I hope it may in foreign.

Poly. Attend the court, and it shall be my care To find out some employment, worthy you. Go, Rhodophil, and bring in those without.

[Exeunt Rho, and PALA.

RHODOPHIL returns again immediately, and with him

enter HERMOGENES, LEONIDAS, and PALMYRA. Behold two miracles !

(Looking earnestly on LEON. and PALMYRA. Of different sexes, but of equal form: So matchless both, that my divided soul Can scarcely ask the gods a son or daughter, For fear of losing one. If from your hands, You powers, I shall this day receive a daughter, Argaleon, she is yours; but, if a son, Then Amalthea's love shall make him happy.

Arga. Grant, heaven, this admirable nymph may

prove

That issue, which he seeks !

Amal. Venus Urania, if thou art a goddess, Grant that sweet youth may prove the prince of

Sicily! Poly. Tell me, old man, and tell me true, from whence

[To HERM. Had you that youth and maid?

Her. From whence you had
Your sceptre, sir : I had them from the gods.

Poly. The gods then have not such another gift. Say who their parents were.

Her. My wife, and I.
Arga. It is not likely, a virgin, of so excellent a

beauty, Should come from such a stock. Amal. Much less, that such a youth, so sweet,

so graceful, Should be produced from peasants.

Her. Why, nature is the same in villages, And much more fit to form a noble issue, Where it is least corrupted. . Poly. He talks too like a man that knew the

world, VOL. IV.

To have been long a peasant. But the rack
Will teach him other language. Hence with him!

[As the Guards are carrying him away, his pe

ruke falls off Sure I have seen that face before. Hermogenes ! "Tis he, 'tis he, who fled away with Eubulus, And with my dear Eudoxia.

Her. Yes, sir, I am Hermogenes;
And if to have been loyal be a crime,
I stand prepared to suffer. .

Poly. If thou would'st live, speak quickly,
What is become of my Eudoxia ?
Where is the queen and young Theagenes ?
Where Eubulus ? and which of these is mine?

[Pointing to LEON. and PalM. Her. Eudoxia is dead, so is the queen,.. The infant king, her son, and Eubulus.

Poly. Traitor, 'tis false: Produce them, or

Her. Once more I tell you, they are dead; but leave to threaten, For you shall know no further.'

Poly. Then prove indulgent to my hopes, and be My friend for ever. Tell me, good Hermogenes, Whose son is that brave youth?

Her. Sir, he is yours.
Poly. Fool that I am! thou see'st that so I wish

it,
And so thou flatterst me.

Her. By all that's holy!

Poly. Again. Thou canst not swear too deeply. Yet hold, I will believe thee :-Yet I doubt.

Her. You need not, sir.

Arga. Believe him not; he sees you credulous, And wouļd impose his own base issue on you, And fix it to your crown.

Amal. Behold his goodly shape and feature, sir; Methinks he much resembles you,

Arga. I say, if you have any issue here,
It must be that fair creature;
By all my hopes I think so.

Amal. Yes, brother, I believe you by your hopes,
For they are all for her.
* Poly. Call the youth nearer,
Her. Leonidas, the king would speak with you.
Poly. Come near, and be not dazzled with the

splendour, And greatness of a court.

Leon. I need not this encouragement; I can fear nothing but the gods. And, for this glory, after I have seen The canopy of state spread wide above In the abyss of heaven, the court of stars, The blushing morning, and the rising sun, What greater can I see? Poly. This speaks thee born a prince; thou art, thyself,

. [Embracing him, That rising sun, and shalt not see, on earth, A brighter than thyself. All of you witness, That for my son I here receive this youth, This brave, this, but I must not praise him fur

ther, Because he now is mine. Leon. I wo’not, sir, believe

[Kneeling: That I am made your sport; For I find nothing in myself, but what Is much above a scorn. I dare give credit To whatsoe'er a king, like you, can tell me. Either I am, or will deserve to be, your son.

Arga. I yet maintain it is impossible This young man should be yours; for, if he were, Why should Hermogenes so long conceal hin, When he might gain so much by his discovery ?

Her. I staid a while to make him worthy, sir, Of you.

· [To the King

But in that time I found
Somewhat within him, which so moved my love,
I never could resolve to part with him.
Leon. You ask too many questions, and are

[T. ARGA. Too saucy for a subject.

Arga. You rather over-act your part, and are Too soon a prince.

Leon. Too soon you'll find me one.

Poly. Enough, Argaleon!
I have declared him mine; and you, Leonidas,
Live well with him I love.

Arga. Sir, if he be your son, I may have leave
To think your queen ħad twins. Look on this vir-

gin;
Hermogenes would enviously deprive you
Of half yourstreasure.

Her. Sir, she is my daughter.
I could, perhaps, thus aided by this lord,
Prefer her to be yours; but truth forbid
I should procure her greatness by a lie!
Poly. Come hither, beauteous maid: Are you not

sorry
Your father will not let you pass for mine?
Palm. I am content to be what heaven has made

me. Poly. Could you not wish yourself a princess

then ?
Palm. Not to be sister to Leonidas.
Poly. Why, my sweet maid?

Palm. Indeed I cannot tell ;
But I could be content to be his handmaid.

Arga. I wish I had not seen her. [Aside.
Palm. I must weep for your good fortune;

[T. LEON.
Pray, pardon me, indeed I cannot help it.
Leonidas,-alas! I had forgot,