_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, 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 peruke 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 flatter'st 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.