What does this mean? "Would not love see returning penitence afar off, and fall on its neck and kiss it?"

Question

I think i know what it means, but i'm not sure so i need a second (or many) opinion(s)!

Answer 1

penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

Therefore, i believe this refers to a person in love detecting early on that the one they loved who had hurt them, may come back for forgiveness, and that the loving would welcome the returning readily.