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Ion re-enters.
Ion
[510] Servant women, that keep your station around this incense-breathing temple's base, and watch for your mistress, has Xuthus already left the sacred tripod and oracle, or is he remaining in the shrine, to ask about his childlessness? Chorus Leader
He is in the temple, stranger; he has not yet left this house. [515] But he is in the passageway, I hear the sound of the doors; and now I can see the master coming out. Xuthus enters from the temple. He rushes to greet Ion.
Xuthus
My boy, welcome! That is a suitable way to begin speaking! Ion
I am well; as long as you stay in your right mind, we are both doing well. Xuthus
Let me kiss your hand, and throw my arms around your body! Ion
[520] Are you in your right mind, stranger? Or has some damage from a god driven you mad? Xuthus
I am sane; since I have found my dearest, I long for him not to escape. Ion
Stop, do not break by your touch the garlands of the god. Xuthus
I will touch; I am not seizing you as a pledge, but I have found my own. Ion
Won't you stop, before you get an arrow in your side? Xuthus
[525] Why do you try to escape from me? When you have met your own dearest— Ion
I do not like to teach rude and maddened strangers. Xuthus
Kill me and raise my funeral pyre; but if you kill me, you will be the murderer of your father. Ion
How are you my father? Isn't this a joke on me? Xuthus
No; the story as it goes on will make clear my words to you. Ion
[530] And what will you tell me? Xuthus
I am your father, and you are my child. Ion
Who declares this? Xuthus
Loxias, who nurtured you, although you were mine. Ion
You are your own witness. Xuthus
Informed by the oracle of the god. Ion
You went astray when you heard a riddle. Xuthus
Then I can't hear properly. Ion
What were the words of Phoebus? Xuthus
That the one who met me— Ion
[535] What meeting? Xuthus
As I came out of the temple— Ion
What would be the result? Xuthus
That he would be my son. Ion
Born your son, or a gift from some other? Xuthus
A gift, but born my son. Ion
And did you first meet me? Xuthus
No one else, my son. Ion
However did this happen? Xuthus
The two of us marvel at the one event. Ion
[540] Ah! But who is my mother? Xuthus
That I cannot say. Ion
Phoebus did not tell you? Xuthus
I was pleased at this and did not ask him that. Ion
Then perhaps I was born from mother earth. Xuthus
The earth bears no children. Ion
Well, how could I be yours? Xuthus
I do not know; I refer it to the god.
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.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.