Epeisodion 2
[Episode]
Attendant maids, that watch and wait your mistress here at the steps of the temple fragrant with incense, say, hath Xuthus already left the holy tripod and the sanctuary, or doth he still abide within to ask yet further of his childlessness?
510
Chorus
He is still in the temple, sir, nor hath he passed this threshold yet.
But hark! I hear a footstep at the outlet of the door, and lo! thou mayst see my master this moment coming out.
515
Xuthus
All hail! my son; that word suits well as my first greeting to thee.
Ion
’Tis well with me; do but restrain thyself, and then both of us will be happy.
Xuthus
Give me thy hand to grasp, thy body to embrace.
Ion
Art thou in thy senses, sir, or hath some spiteful god reft thee of them?
520
Xuthus
I am in my senses, for I have found what I hold most dear, and am eager to show my love.
Ion
Cease! touch me not, nor tear these garlands of the god!
Xuthus
I will embrace thee, for I am not seizing what is not my own, but only finding my own that I love full well.
Ion
Hands off! or thou shalt feel an arrow pierce thy ribs.
Xuthus
Why dost thou shun me, now that thou findest in me thy nearest and dearest?
525
Ion
I am not fond of schooling boors and crazy strangers.
Xuthus
Kill me, burn me, if thou wilt; for, if thou dost, thou wilt be thy father’s murderer.
Ion
Thou my father, indeed i Oh! is not news like this enough to make me laugh?
Xuthus
Not so; my tale, as it proceeds, will prove to thee what I assert.
Ion
Pray, what hast thou to tell me?
530
Xuthus
That I am thy own father, and thou my very child.
530
Xuthus
Loxias, who gave thee nurture, though thou wert my son.
Ion
Thou art thy own witness.
Xuthus
Nay, I have learnt the answer of the god.
Ion
Thou art mistaken in the dark riddle thou hast heard.
Xuthus
It seems then I do not hear aright.
Xuthus
That the man who met me—
Xuthus
As I came forth from the god’s temple—
535
Ion
Well! what should happen to him?
Xuthus
Should be my own true son.
