As a token of affection between father and son, the kiss, of course, has prevailed from time immemorial. Wickliffe, in his quaint rendering of the Bible, thus translates one of the earliest recorded instances, that of Isaac and Jacob (Gen. xxvii. 26, 27):
“Gyve to me a cosse, son myn. He come near and cossed him.”
But the preference in most cases, it must be confessed, is that of the young English sailor in Congreve’s “Love for Love.” On his return, Ben dutifully seeks his father:
“Sir Sampson. My son Ben! Bless thee, my dear boy; thou art heartily welcome.
“Ben. Thank you, father; and I’m glad to see you.
“Sir S. Odsbud, and I’m glad to see thee. Kiss me, boy; kiss me again and again, dear Ben. [Kisses him.]
“Ben. So, so; enough, father. Mess, I’d rather kiss these gentlewomen.
“Sir S. And so thou shalt,” etc.
And so he does, with right good will and alacrity.
