SCENE I.
George Colman translation
Chrem. ’Tis now just daybreak.—Why delay I then
To call my neighbor forth, and be the first
To tell him of his son’s return?—The youth,
I understand, would fain not have it so.
But shall I, when I see this poor old man
Afflict himself so grievously, by silence
Rob him of such an unexpected joy,
When the discov’ry can not hurt the son?
No, I’ll not do’t; but far as in my pow’r
Assist the father. As my son, I see,
Ministers to th’ occasions of his friend,
Associated in counsels, rank, and age,
So we old men should serve each other too.