Ah me! my fate, it seems, has doomed me to a childless life, and all forlorn am I to dwell in ray halls, without an heir. Old Servant To whom did the oracle refer? whom did our poor lady’s husband meet? how and where did he see him? Chorus Dear mistress mine, dost know that youth that was sweeping yonder shrine? He is that son. Creusa Oh! for wings to cleave the liquid air beyond the land of Hellas , away to the western stars, so keen the anguish of my soul, my friends! Old Servant Dost know the name his father gave to him, or is that left as yet unsettled and unsaid? Chorus He called him Ion, because he was the first to cross his path. Old Servant Who is his mother? Chorus That I cannot say. But,—to tell thee all I know, old sir,—