Ion
[355]
The god has wronged him; the mother is unhappy.
Creusa
She did not bear any other child afterwards.
Ion
What if Phoebus took him and brought him up in secret?
Creusa
He does wrong to enjoy a common pleasure alone.
Ion
Alas! This misfortune is in accord with my sorrow.
Creusa
[360]
Stranger, I think an unhappy mother longs for you also.
Ion
Do not draw me to griefs that I have forgotten!
Creusa
I am silent; can you fulfil what I am asking you about?
Ion
Do you know what part of your enquiry is especially ailing?
Creusa
What is not diseased for that wretched woman?
Ion
[365]
How shall the god prophesy what he wants to hide?
Creusa
He will, if he is indeed seated on the public tripod of Hellas.
Ion
He is ashamed of the deed; do not convict him.
Creusa
But the one who suffered this misfortune is in pain.
Ion
There is no one who will be your interpreter.
[370]
If Phoebus appeared evil in his own home, he would rightly do some harm to the one who gave you the oracle. Cease this, lady. There must be no consultation contrary to the god. For we would come to such folly as that,
[375]
if we shall work on the gods to say what they are not willing to say, either by sacrifice of sheep at the altar or through the flight of birds. For what we violently strive after, when the gods are unwilling, we possess as unwilling goods, lady;
[380]
whatever they give willingly is a benefit to us.
Chorus Leader
There are many misfortunes for many mortals, and their shapes are various. One could scarcely ever find one piece of good fortune in man's life.
Creusa
O Phoebus, you are not just to her either there or here;
[385]
though she is absent, her words are present.You did not save your child, whom you ought to have saved; nor, though a prophet, will you speak to the mother who is asking you, so that, if he is no more, he may be honored by a tomb, but, if he lives . . .
[390]
But I must let this go, if I am prevented by the god from learning what I wish.
But, stranger, since I see my noble husband Xuthus has left the cave of Trophonius and is near,
[395]
be silent before him about our conversation, so that I may not be disgraced by my secret ministry and the talk may not go where I have not unfolded it to him. For women have difficulties with their husbands, and we are hated, the good women being mingled with the bad;
[400]
so unfortunate were we born.
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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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