_Pala._ Or die with you: No subject e'er can meet A nobler fate, than at his sovereign's feet. [_Exeunt._ [_Clashing of swords within, and shouts._ _Enter_ LEONIDAS, RHODOPHIL, PALAMEDE, EUBULUS, HERMOGENES, _and their Party, victorious;_ POLYDAMAS _and_ ARGALEON, _disarmed._ _Leon._ That I survive the dangers of this day, Next to the gods, brave friends, be yours the honour; And, let heaven witness for me, that my joy Is not more great for this my right restored, Than 'tis, that I have power to recompense Your loyalty and valour. Let mean princes, Of abject souls, fear to reward great actions; I mean to shew, That whatsoe'er subjects, like you, dare merit, A king, like me, dares give. _Rho._ You make us blush, we have deserved so little. _Pala._ And yet instruct us how to merit more. _Leon._ And as I would be just in my rewards, So should I in my punishments; these two, This, the usurper of my crown, the other, Of my Palmyra's love, deserve that death, Which both designed for me. _Poly._ And we expect it. _Arga._ I have too long been happy, to live wretched. _Poly._ And I too long have governed, to desire A life without an empire. _Leon._ You are Palmyra's father; and as such, Though not a king, shall have obedience paid From him who is one. Father, in that name All injuries forgot, and duty owned. [_Embraces him._ _Poly._ O, had I known you could have been this king, Thus god-like, great and good, I should have wished To have been dethroned before. 'Tis now I live, And more than reign; now all my joys flow pure, Unmixed with cares, and undisturbed by conscience. _Enter_ PALMYRA, AMALTHEA, ARTEMIS, DORALICE, _and_ MELANTHA. _Leon._ See, my Palmyra comes! the frighted blood Scarce yet recalled to her pale cheeks, Like the first streaks of light broke loose from darkness, And dawning into blushes.--Sir, you said [_To_ POLY. Your joys were full; Oh, would you make mine so! I am but half restored without this blessing. _Poly._ The gods, and my Palmyra, make you happy, As you make me! [_Gives her hand to_ LEONIDAS. _Palm._ Now all my prayers are heard: I may be dutiful, and yet may love. Virtue and patience have at length unravelled The knots, which fortune tyed. _Mel._ Let me die, but I'll congratulate his majesty: How admirably well his royalty becomes him! Becomes! that is _lui sied_, but our damned language expresses nothing. _Pala._ How? Does it become him already? 'Twas but just now you said, he was such a figure of a man. _Mel_ True, my dear, when he was a private man he was a figure; but since he is a king, methinks he has assumed another figure: He looks so grand, and so august! [_Going to the King._