Hail, thou broad expanse of bright blue sky! What words can I find to utter my joy aloud? Whence comes to me such unexpected rapture? To what do I owe this bliss?IonThis is the last thing that ever would have occurred to me, mother, that I was thy child.CreusaWith fear I tremble still.IonDost thou doubt my reality?CreusaFar from me had I banished these hopes. Whence, O whence, lady, didst thou take my babe into thy arms? Who carried him to the courts of Loxias?Ion’Tis a miracle! Oh! may we for the rest of our career be happy, as we were hapless heretofore.CreusaIn tears wert thou brought forth, my child, and with sorrow to thy mother didst thou leave her arms; but now I breathe again as I press my lips to thy cheek, in full enjoyment of happiness.IonThy words express our mutual feelings.CreusaNo more am I of son and heir bereft; my house is stablished and my country hath a prince; Erechtheus groweth young again; no longer is the house of the earth-born race plunged in gloom, but lifts its eyes unto the radiant sun.IonMother mine, since my father too is here, let him share the joy I have brought to thee.CreusaMy child, my child, what sayst thou? How is my sin finding me out!IonWhat meanest thou?CreusaThou art of a different, for different stock.IonAlas for me! Am I a bastard, then, bom in thy maiden days?CreusaNor nuptial torch nor dance, my child, ushered in my wedding and thy birth.IonO mother, mother! whence do I draw my base origin?CreusaBe witness she who slew the Gorgon, IonWhat meanest thou?CreusaShe that on my native rocks makes the olive-clad hill her seat.IonThy words to me are but as cunning riddles. I cannot read them.CreusaHard by the rock with nightingales melodious, Phoebus, IonWhy dost thou mention Phoebus?CreusaForced on me his secret love.IonSay on; for thy story will crown me with fame and fortune.CreusaAnd as the tenth month came round I bore a child to Phoebus in secret.