Epeisodion 1
Creusa
And so they died, dabbling with their blood the rocky cliff.
Ion
Even so. But what of this next story? Is it true or groundless?
275
Creusa
What is thy question? Ask on, I have no calls upon my leisure.
Ion
Did thy sire Erechtheus offer thy sisters as a sacrifice?
Creusa
For his country’s sake he did endure to slay the maids as victims.
Ion
And how didst thou, alone of al thy sisters, escape?
Creusa
I was still a tender babe in my mother’s arms.
280
Ion
Did the earth really open its mouth and swallow thy father?
Creusa
The sea-god smote and slew him with his trident.
Ion
Is there a spot there called Macrae?
Creusa
Why ask that? what memories thou recallest!
Ion
Doth the Pythian god with his flashing fire do honour to the place?
285
Creusa
Honour, yes! Honour, indeed! would I had never seen the spot!
Ion
How now? dost thou abhor that which the god holds dear?
Creusa
No, no; but I and that cave are witnesses of a deed of shame.
Ion
Lady, who is the Athenian lord that calls thee wife?
Creusa
No citizen of Athens, but a stranger from another land.
290
Ion
Who is he? he must have been one of noble birth.
Creusa
Xuthus, son of Aeolus, sprung from Zeus.
Ion
And how did he, a stranger, win thee a native born?
