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ARDEN.

No, no, kind fool! it would choke me. Show him up immediately.

[Exit Gaoler.
Now do I feel all my miseries! Now am I the selfish, the cruel, the disgraceful father. O God! O God! what is the gaze of a multitude to this boy's eye?

Enter Young Arden, who, running up to his father, falls upon his neck, and hursts into tears.

ARDEN.

Boy, boy! why hast thou come to me?

YOUNG ARDEN.

To bless you, father.

ARDEN.

To bless me, boy?

YOUNG ARDEN.

Ay, and to cling to you, father: to be with you and serve you, father; who should do that, as you are now circumstanced, but me?

ARDEN.

Woe is me! that thou shouldst have such an office! It must not be.

YOUNG ARDEN.

Turn not away from me thus! I am now at your feet in a posture you have never seen me take before. (Kneeling and catching his hand.)