Rho. When he has kissed the king's hand, I know he'll beg the honour to kiss yours. Come, Palamede.
[Exeunt Rhodo. and Pala. bowing to Amal.
Arte. Madam, you tell me most surprising news.
Amal. The fear of it, you see,
Has discomposed my brother; but to me,
All, that can bring my country good, is welcome.
Arte. It seems incredible, that this old king,
Whom all the world thought childless,
Should come to search the farthest parts of Sicily,
In hope to find an heir.
Amal. To lessen your astonishment, I will
Unfold some private passages of state,
Of which you are yet ignorant: Know, first,
That this Polydamus, who reigns, unjustly
Gained the crown.
Arte. Somewhat of this I have confusedly heard.
Amal. I'll tell you all in brief: Theagenes,
Our last great king,
Had, by his queen, one only son, an infant
Of three years old, called, after him, Theagenes.
The general, this Polydamus, then married;
The public feasts for which were scarcely past,
When a rebellion in the heart of Sicily
Called out the king to arms.
Arte. Polydamus
Had then a just excuse to stay behind.
Amal. His temper was too warlike to accept it.
He left his bride, and the new joys of marriage,
And followed to the field. In short, they fought,
The rebels were o'ercome; but in the fight
The too bold king received a mortal wound.
When he perceived his end approaching near,
He called the general, to whose care he left
His widow queen, and orphan son; then died.
Arte. Then false Polydamus betrayed his trust?