Cre. No mere ally could enter into an inheritance in my land.
Ion. And was it then from fear of consequences that thou didst try to slay me?
Cre. Yes, lest I should myself perish if thou wert spared.
Ion. Doth thy childlessness make thee envious that my father found me?
Cre. And thou, wilt thou rob the childless of her home?
Ion. Had I then no share at all in my father's heritage?
Cre. All that his sword and shield had won was thine, and thine alone.
Ion. Quit the altar and sanctuary built for gods.
Cre. Go bid thy own mother, wherever she is, do that.
Ion. Shalt thou escape all punishment, after trying to kill me?
Cre. Not if thou choose to butcher me within this shrine.
Ion. What joy can it give thee to be slain amid the sacred wreaths?
Cre. There is one whom I shall grieve of those who have grieved me.
Ion. Oh ! 'tis passing strange how badly the deity hath enacted laws for mortal men, contrary to all sound judgment; for instance, they should ne'er have suffered impious men to sit at their altars, but should have driven them away; for it was nowise right that hands unclean should touch the altars of the gods, though the righteous deserved to find a refuge there from their oppressors, instead of good and bad alike having recourse to the same divine protection with equal success.
Pyth. Pr. Refrain thyself, my son; for I, the priestess of Phœbus, chosen from all the maids of Delphi in accordance with the tripod's ancient rite, have left that prophetic seat, and am passing o'er this threshold.
Ion. Hail to thee, dear mother mine,—mother, though thou didst not give me birth.
