Creusa
I forbid you to kill me, on behalf of myself and the god, at whose altar I stand.
Ion
What is there in common between Phoebus and you?
Creusa
[1285]
I give my body to the god, a holy suppliant.
Ion
And then you tried to poison the god's servant?
Creusa
You were no longer Apollo's, but your father's.
Ion
I was born from my father; but I am speaking of the essential relationship.
Creusa
Well, then, you were Apollo's once; I am now, you no longer are.
Ion
[1290]
You are not pious, but my actions were.
Creusa
I tried to kill you because you were an enemy to my house.
Ion
I certainly did not come in arms against your country.
Creusa
Yes, you did; you would have burned the house of Erechtheus.
Ion
With what torches, by what flame?
Creusa
[1295]
You were going to live in my house, taking it from me by force.
Ion
My father is giving me the land which he possessed.
Creusa
How does the race of Aeolus share with that of Pallas?
Ion
He received it in pledge, by arms, not words.
Creusa
An ally would not be an inhabitant of the land.
Ion
[1300]
Then you tried to kill me, in fear of what I might intend to do?
Creusa
So that I might not die, if you should not only intend.
Ion
Because you are childless, you are envious that my father found me.
Creusa
Then you will plunder a childless house?
Ion
But do I have no share of my father's goods?
Creusa
[1305]
As much as his shield and spear; that is your entire property.
Ion
Leave the altar and the seats dedicated to the god.
Creusa
Give advice to your mother, wherever she is.
Ion
Will you not submit to punishment, you who were going to kill me?
Creusa
Yes, if you are willing to slaughter me in this shrine.
Ion
[1310]
What pleasure is it for you to die among the garlands of the god?
Creusa
I shall give pain to one who has given me pain.
Ion
Ah! It is strange that the god has given to men these laws, not well or with wise thought; the wicked should not sit at the altar,
[1315]
but should be driven from there; nor is it good for a worthless hand to touch the gods; for the righteous—those who have been wronged should sit in sanctuary; the good and bad should not go to the same place and have equal treatment from the gods.
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Table of Contents:
Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 1. Ion, translated by Robert Potter. New York. Random House. 1938.
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