The ground brings forth no children.IonHow can I be thine?XuthusI know not; I refer it to the god.IonCome, let us try another theme.XuthusBetter hold to this, my son.IonDidst thou e’er indulge in illicit amours?XuthusYes, in the folly of youth.IonEre thou didst win Erechtheus’ daughter?XuthusNever since.IonCould it be, then, thou didst beget me?XuthusThe time coincides therewith.IonIn that case, how came I hither?XuthusThat puzzles me.IonAfter that long journey too?XuthusThat, too, perplexes me.IonDidst thou in days gone by come to the Pythian rock?XuthusYes, to join in the mystic rites of Bacchus.IonDidst thou lodge with one of the public hosts?XuthusWith one who at Delphi—IonInitiated thee? or what is it thou sayest?XuthusAmong the frantic votaries of Bacchus.IonWert thou sober, or in thy cups?XuthusI had indulged in the pleasures of the wine-cup.IonThat is just the history of my birth.XuthusFate hath discovered thee, my son.IonHow came I to the temple?XuthusMaybe the maid exposed thee.IonI have escaped the shame of slavish birth.XuthusAcknowledge then thy father, my son.IonIt is not right that I should mistrust the god.