Arga. Rest satisfied, Leonidas is he. [To the King.
Poly. I am amazed: What must be done?
Arga. Command his execution instantly:
Give him not leisure to discover it;
He may corrupt the soldiers.
Poly. Hence with that traitor, bear him to his death:
Haste there, and see my will performed.
Leon. Nay, then, I'll die like him the gods have made me.
Hold, gentlemen, I am— [Argaleon stops his mouth.
Arga. Thou art a traitor; 'tis not fit to hear thee.
Leon. I say, I am the— [Getting loose a little.
Arga. So; gag him, and lead him off. [Again stopping his mouth.
[Leonidas, Hermogenes, Eubulus, led off; Polydamas and Argaleon follow.
Palm. Duty and love, by turns, possess my soul
And struggle for a fatal victory.
I will discover he's the king:—Ah, no!
That will perhaps save him;
But then I'm guilty of a father's ruin.
What shall I do, or not do? Either way
I must destroy a parent, or a lover.
Break heart; for that's the least of ills to me,
And death the only cure. [Swoons.
Arte. Help, help the princess.