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 you forget your birth, thus to misplace
This act of your obedience; you should kneel
To nothing but to heaven, and to a king.
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.