give belief to this impostor?
He, who has once abused me, often may.
I'll hear no more.

_Arga._ For your own sake, you must.

_Her._ A parent's love,--for I confess my crime,--
Moved me to say, Leonidas was yours;
But when I heard Palmyra was to die,
The fear of guiltless blood so stung my conscience,
That I resolved, even with my shame, to save
Your daughter's life.

_Poly._ But how can I be certain, but that interest,
Which moved you first to say your son was mine,
Does not now move you too, to save your daughter?

_Her._ You had but then my word; I bring you now
Authentic testimonies. Sir, in short,
[_Delivers on his knees a jewel, and letter._
If this will not convince you, let me suffer.

_Poly._ I know this jewel well; 'twas once my mother's,
[_Looking first on the jewel._
Which, marrying, I presented to my wife.
And this, O this is my Eudocia's hand.
_This was the pledge of love given to Eudocia,_ [Reads.
_Who, dying, to her young Palmyra leaves it;_
_And this, when you, my dearest lord, receive,
Own her, and think on me, dying Eudocia._
Take it; 'tis well there is no more to read. [_To_ ARGA.
My eyes grow full, and swim in their own light. [_He embraces_ PALM.

_Palm._ I fear, sir, this is your intended pageant.
You sport yourself at poor Palmyra's cost;
But if you think to make me proud,
Indeed I cannot be so: I was born
With humble thoughts, and lowly, like my birth.
A real fortune could not make me haughty,
Much less a feigned.

_Poly._ This was her mother's temper.
I have too much deserved thou shouldst suspect
That I am not thy father; but my love
Shall henceforth show I am. Behold my eyes,
And see a father there begin to flow:
This is not feigned, Palmyra.

_Palm._ I doubt no longer, sir; you are a king,
And cannot lie: Falsehood's a vice too base
To find a room in any royal breast.
I know, in spite of my unworthiness,
I am your child; for when you would have killed me,
Methought I loved you then.

_Arga._ Sir, we forget the prince Leonidas;
His greatness should not stand neglected thus.

_Poly._ Guards, you may now retire; Give him his sword,
And leave him free.

_Leon._ Then the first use I make of liberty
Shall be, with your permission, mighty sir,
To pay that reverence to which nature binds me.
[_Kneels to_ HERMOGENES.

_Arga._ Sure