How had the sons of Aeolus any share in the realm of Pallas?IonArms, not words, he brought to champion it.CreusaNo mere ally could enter into an inheritance in my land.IonAnd was it then from fear of consequences that thou didst try to slay me?CreusaYes, lest I should myself perish if thou wert spared.IonDoth thy childlessness make thee envious that my father found me?CreusaAnd thou, wilt thou rob the childless of her home?IonHad I then no share at all in my father’s heritage?CreusaAll that his sword and shield had won was thine, and thine alone.IonQuit the altar and sanctuary built for gods.CreusaGo bid thy own mother, wherever she is, do that.IonShalt thou escape all punishment, after trying to kill me?CreusaNot if thou choose to butcher me within this shrine.IonWhat joy can it give thee to be slain amid the sacred wreaths?CreusaThere is one whom I shall grieve of those who have grieved me.IonOh! ’tis passing strange how badly the deity hath enacted laws for mortal men, contrary to all sound judgment; for instance, they should ne’er have suffered impious men to sit at their altars, but should have driven them away; for it was nowise right that hands unclean should touch the altars of the gods, though the righteous deserved to find a refuge there from their oppressors, instead of good and bad alike having recourse to the same divine protection with equal success.Pythian PriestessRefrain thyself, my son; for I, the priestess of Phoebus, chosen from all the maids of Delphi in accordance with the tripod’s ancient rite, have left that prophetic seat, and am passing o’er this threshold.IonHail to thee, dear mother mine,—mother, though thou didst not give me birth.Pythian PriestessYes, so have I ever been called, and the title causes me no regret.