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 dark ness, 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 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. Pala. Stay, stay; I'll present you when it is more convenient. I find I must get her a place at court; and when she is once there, she can be no longer ridiculous; for she is young enough, and pretty enough, and fool enough, and French enough, to bring up a fashion there to be affected. Leon. [To RHODOPHIL.] Did she then lead you to this brave attempt? [To AMALTHEA.] To you, fair Amalthea, what I am' Arga. I neither now desire, nor will deserve it; My loss is such as cannot be repaired, And, to the wretched, life can be no mercy. Leon. Then be a prisoner always: Thy ill fate And pride will have it so: But since in this I cannot, Instruct me, generous Amalthea, how A king may serve you. Amal. I have all I hope, And all I now must wish; I see you happy. Press me not farther to explain myself; "Twill not become me, and may cause your trouble. Leon. Too well I understand her secret grief, [Aside. But dare not seem to know it.-Come, my fairest; [TO PALMYRA. Beyond my crown I have one joy in store, [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. THUS have my spouse and I informed the nation, He spared my shame, which you, I'm sure, would not, You sighed when I came in to break the sport, |