_Pala._ But can you, in charity, suffer me to be so mortified, without affording me some relief? If it be but to punish that sign of a husband there, that lazy matrimony, that dull insipid taste, who leaves such delicious fare at home, to dine abroad on worse meat, and pay dear for it into the bargain. _Dor._ All this is in vain: Assure yourself, I will never admit of any visit from you in private. _Pala._ That is to tell me, in other words, my condition is desperate. _Dor._ I think you in so ill a condition, that I am resolved to pray for you, this very evening, in the close walk behind the terrace; for that's a private place, and there I am sure nobody will disturb my devotions. And so, good-night, sir. [_Exit._ _Pala._ This is the newest way of making an appointment I ever heard of. Let women alone to contrive the means; I find we are but dunces to them. Well, I will not be so prophane a wretch as to interrupt her devotions; but, to make them more effectual, I'll down upon my knees, and endeavour to join my own with them. [_Exit._ _Amal._ [_To_ RHO.] I know already they do not love each other; and that my brother acts but a forced obedience to the king's commands; so that if a quarrel should arise betwixt the prince and him, I were most miserable on both sides. _Rho._ There shall be nothing wanting in me, madam, to prevent so sad a consequence. _Enter the King and_ LEONIDAS; _the King whispers_ AMALTHEA. [_To himself._] I begin to hate this Palamede, because he is to marry my mistress: Yet break with him I dare not, for fear of being quite excluded from her company. It is a hard case, when a man must go by his rival to his mistress: But it is, at worst, but using him like a pair of heavy boots in a dirty journey; after I have fouled him all day, I'll throw him off at night. [_Exit._ _Amal._ [_To the King._] This honour is too great for me to hope. _Poly._ You shall this hour have the assurance of it.-- Leonidas, come hither; you have heard, I doubt not, that the father of this princess Was my most faithful friend, while I was yet A private man; and when I did assume This crown, he served me in the high attempt. You see, then, to what gratitude obliges me; Make your addresses to her. _Leon._ Sir, I am yet too young to be a courtier; I should too much betray my ignorance, And want of breeding to so fair a lady. _Amal._ Your language speaks you not bred up in desarts, But in the softness of some Asian court, Where luxury and ease invent kind words, To cozen tender virgins of their hearts. _Poly._ You need not doubt, But in what words soe'er a prince can offer His crown and person, they will be received. You know my pleasure, and you know your duty. _Leon._ Yes, sir, I shall obey, in what I can. _Poly._ In what you can, Leonidas? Consider, He's both your king, and father, who commands you. Besides, what is there hard in my injunction?