_Amal._ I? never!--'Tis in vain: I must despair in silence. [_Aside._ _Leon._ You come, as I suspected then, to mock, At least observe, my griefs: Take it not ill, That I must leave you. [_Is going._ _Amal._ You must not go with these unjust opinions. Command my life and fortunes: you are wise; Think, and think well, what I can do to serve you. _Leon._ I have but one thing in my thoughts and wishes: If, by your means, I can obtain the sight Of my adored Palmyra; or, what's harder, One minute's time, to tell her, I die hers-- [_She starts back._ I see I am not to expect it from you; Nor could, indeed, with reason. _Amal._ Name any other thing! Is Amalthea So despicable, she can serve your wishes In this alone? _Leon._ If I should ask of heaven, I have no other suit. _Amal._ To show you, then, I can deny you nothing, Though 'tis more hard to me than any other, Yet I will do it for you. _Leon._ Name quickly, name the means! speak, my good angel! _Amal._ Be not so much o'erjoyed; for, if you are, I'll rather die than do't. This night the court Will be in masquerade; You shall attend on me; in that disguise You may both see and speak to her, If you dare venture it. _Leon._ Yes; were a god her guardian, And bore in each hand thunder, I would venture. _Amal._ Farewell, then; two hours hence I will expect you:-- My heart's so full, that I can stay no longer. [_Exit._ _Leon._ Already it grows dusky: I'll prepare With haste for my disguise. But who are these? _Enter_ HERMOGENES _and_ EUBULUS. _Her._ 'Tis he; we need not fear to speak to him. _Eub._ Leonidas? _Leon._ Sure I have known that voice. _Her._ You have some reason, sir: 'tis Eubulus, Who bred you with the princess; and, departing, Bequeathed you to my care. _Leon._ My foster-father! let my knees express My joys for your return! [_Kneeling._ _Eub._ Rise, sir; you must not kneel. _Leon._ E'er since you left me, I have been wandering in a maze of fate, Led by false fires of a fantastic glory, And the vain lustre of imagined crowns. But, ah! why would you leave me? or how could you Absent yourself so long? _Eub._ I'll give you a most just account of both: And something more I have to tell you, which I know must cause your wonder; but this place, Though almost hid in darkness, is not safe. Already I discern some coming towards us [_Torches appear._ With lights, who may discover me. Hermogenes, Your lodgings are hard by, and much more private. _Her._ There you may freely speak. _Leon._ Let us make haste; For some affairs, and of no small importance, Call me another way. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _Enter_ PALAMEDE _and_ RHODOPHIL, _with Vizor Masques in their Hands, and Torches before them._ _Pala._ We shall have noble sport to-night, Rhodophil; this masquerading is a most glorious invention.