_Amal._ His temper was too warlike to accept it. He left his bride, and the new joys of marriage, And followed to the field. In short, they fought, The rebels were o'ercome; but in the fight The too bold king received a mortal wound. When he perceived his end approaching near, He called the general, to whose care he left His widow queen, and orphan son; then died. _Arte._ Then false Polydamus betrayed his trust? _Amal._ He did; and, with my father's help,--for which Heaven pardon him!--so gained their soldiers' hearts, That, in a few days, he was saluted king: And when his crimes had impudence enough To bear the eye of day, He marched his army back to Syracuse. But see how heaven can punish wicked men, In granting their desires: The news was brought him, That day he was to enter it, that Eubulus, Whom his dead master had left governor, Was fled, and with him bore away the queen, And royal orphan; but, what more amazed him, His wife, now big with child, and much detesting Her husband's practices, had willingly Accompanied their flight. _Arte._ How I admire her virtue! _Amal._ What became Of her, and them, since that, was never known; Only, some few days since, a famous robber Was taken with some jewels of vast price, Which, when they were delivered to the king, He knew had been his wife's; with these, a letter, Much torn and sullied, but which yet he knew To be her writing. _Arte._ Sure, from hence he learned He had a son? _Amal._ It was not left so plain: The paper only said, she died in child-bed; But when it should have mentioned son or daughter, Just there it was torn off. _Arte._ Madam, the king. _To them_ POLYDAMUS, ARGALEON, _Guard and Attendants._ _Arga._ The robber, though thrice racked, confessed no more. But that he took those jewels near this place. _Poly._ But yet the circumstances strongly argue, That those, for whom I search, are not far off. _Arga._ I cannot easily believe it. _Arte._ No, You would not have it so. [_Aside._ _Poly._ Those, I employed, have in the neighbouring hamlet, Amongst the fishers' cabins, made discovery 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 quality? _Rho._ Palamede, son to lord Cleodemus of Palermo, And new returned from travel. [PALAMEDE _approaches, and kneels to kiss the Kings 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.