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. 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? 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? 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? Xuthus That I am thy own father, and thou my very child. Ion Who says so? 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.