And how didst thou, alone of al thy sisters, escape? Creusa I was still a tender babe in my mother’s arms. Ion Did the earth really open its mouth and swallow thy father? Creusa The sea-god smote and slew him with his trident. Ion Is there a spot there called Macrae? Creusa Why ask that? what memories thou recallest! Ion Doth the Pythian god with his flashing fire do honour to the place? Creusa Honour, yes! Honour, indeed! would I had never seen the spot! Ion How now? dost thou abhor that which the god holds dear? Creusa No, no; but I and that cave are witnesses of a deed of shame. Ion Lady, who is the Athenian lord that calls thee wife? Creusa No citizen of Athens , but a stranger from another land. Ion Who is he? he must have been one of noble birth. Creusa Xuthus, son of Aeolus, sprung from Zeus. Ion And how did he, a stranger, win thee a native born? Creusa Hard by Athens lies a neighbouring township, Euboea. Ion With a bounding line of waters in between, so I have heard. Creusa This did he sack, making common cause with Cecrops’ sons. Ion Coming as an ally, maybe; he won thy hand for this? Creusa Yes, this was his dower of battle, the prize of his prowess. Ion Art thou come to the oracle alone, or with thy lord? Creusa With him. But he is now visiting the cavern of Trophonius.