Ion (910-950)

on earth’s centre planted will I proclaim a word into thy ear. O! thou wicked bridegroom who art bringing to my husband’s house an heir, though from him thou hast received no boon;

while that child of thine and mine hath died unrecognized, a prey to carrion birds, his mother’s swaddling-clothes all lost. Delos hates thee now, thy bay-tree loves thee not,

whose branches sprout beside the tufted palm, where in holy throes Latona, big with child by Zeus, gave birth to thee.

Ah me! what store of sorrows is here disclosed, enough to draw a tear from every eye!

Daughter, with pity am I filled as a gaze upon thy face; my reason leaves me; for just as I am striving to lighten my spirit of its sea of troubles, comes another wave astern and catches me by reason of thy words; for no sooner hadst thou uttered this tale of present troubles

than thou didst turn aside into a fresh a track of other woes. What is it thou sayest? What charge against Apollo dost thou bring? What child is this thou dost assert that thou didst bear? Where was it in the city that thou didst expose him, for beasts to rejoice o’er his burial? Tell me once again.

Old friend, although to meet thine eye, I am ashamed, yet will I tell thee.

Full well I know how to lend my friends a generous sympathy.

Then hearken; dost know a cave toward the north of Cecrops’ rock, that we call Macrae?

I know it; there is the shrine of Pan, and his altar hard by.

That was the scene of my dire conflict.

What conflict? see how my tears start forth to meet thy words.

Phoebus forced me to a woful marriage.

Was it then this, my daughter, that I noticed myself?

I know not; but I will tell thee if thou speak the truth.

At the time thou wert mourning in secret some hidden complaint?

Yes, ’twas then this trouble happened, which now I am declaring to thee.

How then didst conceal thy union with Apollo?

I bore a child; hear me patiently, old friend.

Where? and who helped thy travail? or didst thou labour all alone?

All alone, in the cave where I became a wife.

Where is the child? that thou mayst cease thy childless state.