Consigned him, did she? as ’tis wont to be set forth in painting. Creusa Yes, to the daughters of Cecrops, to keep him safe unseen. Ion I have heard the maidens opened the ark wherein the goddess laid him. Creusa And so they died, dabbling with their blood the rocky cliff. Ion Even so. But what of this next story? Is it true or groundless? Creusa What is thy question? Ask on, I have no calls upon my leisure. Ion Did thy sire Erechtheus offer thy sisters as a sacrifice? Creusa For his country’s sake he did endure to slay the maids as victims. Ion And how didst thou, alone of al thy sisters, escape? Creusa I was still a tender babe in my mother’s arms.