Leon. ’Tis hard to have my inclination forced. 
I would not marry, sir; and, when I do,
I hope you’ll give me freedom in my choice.

Poly. View well this lady, Whose mind as much transcends her beauteous face, As that excels all others.

Amal. My beauty, as it ne’er could merit love,
So neither can it beg:  And, sir, you may
Believe, that what the king has offered you,
I should refuse, did I not value more
Your person than your crown.

Leon. Think it not pride,
Or my new fortunes swell me to contemn you;
Think less, that I want eyes to see your beauty;
And, least of all, think duty wanting in me
To obey a father’s will:  But—­

Poly. But what, Leonidas?  For I must know your reason; and be sure It be convincing too.

Leon. Sir, ask the stars,
Which have imposed love on us, like a fate,
Why minds are bent to one, and fly another? 
Ask, why all beauties cannot move all hearts? 
For though there may
Be made a rule for colour, or for feature,
There can be none for liking.

Poly. Leonidas, you owe me more Than to oppose your liking to my pleasure.

Leon. I owe you all things, sir; but something, too, I owe myself.

Poly. You shall dispute no more; I am a king, And I will be obeyed.

Leon. You are a king, sir, but you are no god; Or, if you were, you could not force my will.

Poly. [Aside.] But you are just, ye gods; O you are just,
In punishing the crimes of my rebellion
With a rebellious son! 
Yet I can punish him, as you do me.—­
Leonidas, there is no jesting with
My will:  I ne’er had done so much to gain
A crown, but to be absolute in all things.

Amal. O, sir, be not so much a king, as to
Forget you are a father:  Soft indulgence
Becomes that name.  Tho’ nature gives you power
To bind his duty, ’tis with silken bonds: 
Command him, then, as you command yourself;
He is as much a part of you, as are
Your appetite and will, and those you force not,
But gently bend, and make them pliant to your reason.

Poly. It may be I have used too rough a way.—­
Forgive me, my Leonidas; I know
I lie as open to the gusts of passion,
As the bare shore to every, beating surge: 
I will not force thee now; but I entreat thee,
Absolve a father’s vow to this fair virgin;
A vow, which hopes of having such a son
First caused.

Leon. Show not my disobedience by your prayers;
For I must still deny you, though I now
Appear more guilty to myself than you: 
I have some reasons, which I cannot utter,
That force my disobedience; yet I mourn
To death, that the first thing, you e’er enjoined me,
Should be that only one command in nature,
Which I could not obey.