[ SCENE I.]

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