You will find no mother in a foreign country; and can you leave a parent already overwhelmed by misfortune? would you snatch from her her last support? Surely you have no affection for her.
BRADLEY.
What, Sir, no affection for a mother who has done so much for me!
CHARLES.
A strange proof you would give of it, to leave her in solitary misery, when she declares your absence would be her death.
BRADLEY.
That is a weakness; how many mothers are there that must be separated from their children?
CHARLES.
I acknowledge it; but a weakness that arises from an affection for you should rather endear her to you. Excuse me, Sir, but I think that children who have such tender apprehensive parents, ought to sacrifice a wavering uncertain prospect of happiness rather than grieve them. Nay, it would be for their own advantage, if, as my tutor says, no happiness is to be obtained by the violation of duty. Should you return from sea successful, and find her dead, repentance would imbitter your whole future life, for she assures me you have naturally an affectionate good disposition. Continue with her; when a mother in poverty begins to labour under a weight of years, it would be cowardly in a son to desert her.
BRADLEY.