It seems then I do not hear aright. Ion What said Phoebus? Xuthus That the man who met me— Ion When and where? Xuthus As I came forth from the god’s temple— Ion Well! what should happen to him? Xuthus Should be my own true son. Ion Thy own true son, or a gift from others? Xuthus A gift, but mine for all that. Ion Am I the first that thou didst meet? Xuthus I have met no other, my son. Ion Whence came this piece of luck? Xuthus To both of us alike it causes surprise. Ion Ah I but who was my mother? Xuthus I cannot tell. Ion Did not Phoebus tell thee that? Xuthus I was so pleased with this, I did not ask him that. Ion I must have sprung from mother earth. Xuthus The ground brings forth no children. Ion How can I be thine? Xuthus I know not; I refer it to the god. Ion Come, let us try another theme.