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. Xuthus Better hold to this, my son. Ion Didst thou e’er indulge in illicit amours? Xuthus Yes, in the folly of youth. Ion Ere thou didst win Erechtheus’ daughter? Xuthus Never since. Ion Could it be, then, thou didst beget me? Xuthus The time coincides therewith. Ion In that case, how came I hither? Xuthus That puzzles me. Ion After that long journey too? Xuthus That, too, perplexes me. Ion Didst thou in days gone by come to the Pythian rock? Xuthus Yes, to join in the mystic rites of Bacchus. Ion Didst thou lodge with one of the public hosts? Xuthus With one who at Delphi — Ion Initiated thee? or what is it thou sayest? Xuthus Among the frantic votaries of Bacchus. Ion Wert thou sober, or in thy cups? Xuthus I had indulged in the pleasures of the wine-cup. Ion That is just the history of my birth. Xuthus Fate hath discovered thee, my son. Ion How came I to the temple? Xuthus Maybe the maid exposed thee. Ion I have escaped the shame of slavish birth. Xuthus Acknowledge then thy father, my son. Ion It is not right that I should mistrust the god.