Leon. I never shall forget what nature owes,
Nor be ashamed to pay it; though my father
Be not a king, I know him brave and honest,
And well deserving of a worthier son.

Poly. He bears it gallantly.

Leon. Why would you not instruct me, sir, before, [To HERM. 
Where I should place my duty? 
From which, if ignorance have made me swerve,
I beg your pardon for an erring son.

Palm. I almost grieve I am a princess, since It makes him lose a crown.

Leon. And next, to you, my king, thus low I kneel,
To implore your mercy; if in that small time
I had the honour to be thought your son,
I paid not strict obedience to your will. 
I thought, indeed, I should not be compelled,
But thought it as your son; so what I took
In duty from you, I restored in courage;
Because your son should not be forced.

Poly. You have my pardon for it.

Leon. To you, fair princess, I congratulate
Your birth; of which I ever thought you worthy: 
And give me leave to add, that I am proud
The gods have picked me out to be the man,
By whose dejected fate yours is to rise;
Because no man could more desire your fortune,
Or franklier part with his, to make you great.

Palm. I know the king, though you are not his son,
Will still regard you as my foster-brother,
And so conduct you downward from a throne,
By slow degrees, so unperceived and soft,
That it may seem no fall:  Or, if it be,
May fortune lay a bed of down beneath you!

Poly. He shall be ranked with my nobility, And kept from scorn by a large pension given him.

Leon. You are all great and royal in your gifts; [Bowing.
But at the donor’s feet I lay them down: 
Should I take riches from you, it would seem
As I did want a soul to bear that poverty,
To which the gods designed my humble birth: 
And should I take your honours without merit,
It would appear, I wanted manly courage
To hope them, in your service, from my sword.

Poly. Still brave, and like yourself. 
The court shall shine this night in its full splendour,
And celebrate this new discovery. 
Argaleon, lead my daughter:  As we go,
I shall have time to give her my commands,
In which you are concerned. [Exeunt all but LEONIDAS.

Leon. Methinks, I do not want
That huge long train of fawning followers,
That swept a furlong after me. 
’Tis true I am alone;
So was the godhead, ere he made the world,
And better served himself, than served by nature. 
And yet I have a soul
Above this humble fate.  I could command,
Love to do good, give largely to true merit,
All that a king should do:  But though these are not
My province, I have scene enough within,
To exercise my virtue. 
All that a heart, so fixed as mine, can move,
Is, that my niggard fortune starves my love. [Exit.