a son;
But let me die before I see this done.

_Poly._ If you for ever will abjure her sight,
I can be yet a father; she shall live.

_Leon._ Hear, O you powers! is this to be a father?
I see 'tis all my happiness and quiet
You aim at, sir; and take them:
I will not save even my Palmyra's life
At that ignoble price; but I'll die with her.

_Palm._ So had I done by you,
Had fate made me a princess.--Death, methinks,
Is not a terror now:
He is not fierce, or grim, but fawns, and sooths me,
And slides along, like Cleopatra's aspick,
Offering his service to my troubled breast.

_Leon._ Begin what you have purposed when you please;
Lead her to scorn, your triumph shall be doubled.
As holy priests,
In pity, go with dying malefactors,
So I will share her shame.

_Poly._ You shall not have your will so much; first part them,
Then execute your office.

_Leon._ No; I'll die
In her defence. [_Draws his sword._

_Palm._ Ah, hold, and pull not on
A curse, to make me worthy of my death:
Do not by lawless force oppose your father,
Whom you have too much disobeyed for me.

_Leon._ Here, take it, sir, and with it pierce my heart:
[_Presenting his sword to his Father upon his
knees._
You have done more in taking my Palmyra.
You are my father; therefore I submit.

_Poly._ Keep him from any thing he may design
Against his life, while the first fury lasts;
And now perform what I commanded you.

_Leon._ In vain; if sword and poison be denied me,
I'll hold my breath and die.

_Palm._ Farewell, my last Leonidas; yet live,
I charge you, live, 'till you believe me dead.
I cannot die in peace, if you die first;
If life's a blessing, you shall have it last.

_Poly._ Go on with her, and lead him after me.

_Enter_ ARGALEON _hastily, with_ HERMOGENES.

_Arga._ I bring you, sir, such news as must amaze you,
And such as will prevent you from an action,
Which would have rendered all your life unhappy. [HERMOGENES _kneels._

_Poly._ Hermogenes, you bend your knees in vain,
My doom's already past.

_Her._ I kneel not for Palmyra, for I know
She will not need my prayers; but for myself:
With a feigned tale I have abused your ears,
And, therefore, merit death: but since, unforced,
I first accuse myself, I hope your mercy.

_Poly._ Haste to explain your meaning.

_Her._ Then, in few words, Palmyra is your daughter.

_Poly._ How can I