In Sicily, Palmyra and Leonidas are two youths who have been raised in a fisherman's hut by Hermogenes, a caretaker who is not their real father. Both very beautiful, Palmyra and Leonidas have fallen in love over the years. Polydamas, the king, has usurped the throne from the former king and is seeking out the former king's rightful heir, who went missing years ago. Hermogenes presents Leonidas as Polydamas' heir, which ruins the romance between Leonidas and Palmyra; how could a prince marry a peasant?
Palmyra and Leonidas vow to continue their relationship in secret, but when they are found out, Polydamas sentences Palmyra to be executed. Coming to her defense, Hermogenes proclaims that he lied, and Palmyra is not a peasant but the daughter of Polydamas.
Palmyra and Leonidas do all that they can to stay together, when Hermogenes reveals to both of them that Leonidas is not his son, but the son of the rightful king of Sicily. Palmyra is torn about whether or not to betray her father, Polydamas, by revealing that her one true love is the rightful heir to the throne. Hermogenes eventually reveals this to the court and Leonidas ascends the throne, sparing Polydamas.
The second plot concerns Rhodophil and Palamede, two friends who are courting one another's beloveds. Palamede falls in love with Doralice, a noblewoman, before realizing she is Rhodophil's wife. He finds out soon enough that Rhodophil has been wooing Melantha, Palamede's fiancée. Both couples keep accidentally choosing the same locations for their secret trysts, until they decide that they are better off staying with their rightful mates.
