This pleasure whence,this unexpected transport?
ION
There was no blessing farther from my thoughts Than this,my mother,to be found thy son.
CREUSA
I tremble yet.
ION
And hast thou yet a fear,Holding me,not to hold me?
CREUSA
Such fond hopes Long time have I renounced.Thou hallow'd matron,From whom didst thou receive my infant child?
What bless'd hand brought him to Apollo's shrine?
ION
It was the god's appointment:may our life To come be happy,as the past was wretched.
CREUSA
Not without tears,my son,wast thou brought forth;Nor without anguish did my hands resign thee.
Now breathing on thy cheek I feel a joy Transporting me with heartfelt ecstasies.
ION
The words expressive of thy joys speak mine.
CREUSA
Childless no more,no more alone,my house Now shines with festive joy;my realms now own A lord;Erechtheus blooms again;no more His high-traced lineage sees night darkening round,But glories in the sun's refulgent beams.
ION
Now let my father,since he's present here,Be partner of the joy which I have given you.
CREUSA
What says my son?
ION
Such,such as I am proved.
CREUSA
What mean thy words?Far other is thy birth.
ION
Ah me!thy virgin bed produced me base.
CREUSA
Nor bridal torch,my son,nor bridal dance Had graced my nuptial rites,when thou wast born.
ION
Then I'm a wretch,a base-born wretch:say whence.
CREUSA
Be witness,thou by whom the Gorgon died.
ION
What means this adjuration?
CREUSA
Who hast fix'd High o'er my cave thy seat amid the rocks With olive clothed.
ION
Abstruse thy words,and dark.
CREUSA
Where on the cliffs the nightingale attunes Her songs,Apollo.
ION
Why Apollo named?
CREUSA
Led me in secret to his bed.
ION
Speak on;
Thy words import some glorious fortune to me.
CREUSA
Thee in the tenth revolving month,my son,A secret pang to Phoebus did I bear.
ION
Thy words,if true,are grateful to my soul.
CREUSA