SYRUS. And yet if I may judge your father's mind, He has more troubles yet in store for you. BACCH. Who is that youth that eyes us? (_Seeing CLINIA._) ANTI. Ha! (_seeing him._)--Support me! BACCH. Bless me, what now? ANTI. I faint. BACCH. Alas, poor soul! What is't surprises you, Antiphila? ANTI. Is't Clinia that I see, or no? BACCH. Whom do you see? CLIN. Welcome my soul! (_Running up to her._) ANTI. My wish'd-for Clinia, welcome! CLIN. How fares my love? ANTI. O'erjoyed at your return. CLIN. And do I hold thee, my Antiphila, Thou only wish and comfort of my soul! SYRUS. In, in, for you have made our good man wait. (_Exeunt._ ACT THE THIRD. 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 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. SCENE II. _Enter MENEDEMUS._ MENE. (_to himself_). Sure I'm by nature form'd for misery Beyond the rest of humankind, or else 'Tis a false saying, though a common one, "That time assuages grief." For ev'ry day My sorrow for the absence of my son Grows on my mind: the longer he's away, The more impatiently I wish to see him, The more pine after him. CHREM. But he's come forth. (_Seeing MENEDEMUS._) Yonder he stands. I'll go and speak with him. Good-morrow, neighbor! I have news for you; Such news as you'll be overjoy'd to hear. MENE. Of my son, Chremes? CHREM. He's alive and well. MENE. Where? CHREM. At my house. MENE. My son? CHREM. Your son. MENE. Come home? CHREM. Come home. MENE. My dear boy come? my Clinia? CHREM. He. MENE. Away then! prithee, bring me to him. CHREM. Hold! He cares not you should know of his return, And dreads your sight because of his late trespass. He fears, besides, your old severity Is now augmented. MENE. Did not you inform him The bent of my affections? CHREM. Not I. MENE. Wherefore, Chremes? CHREM. Because 'twould injure both yourself and him To seem of such a poor and broken spirit. MENE. I can not help it. Too long, much too long, I've been a cruel father.