Ha! what unlooked-for sight is here? IonPeace, woman! now, as erst, thou art my enemy.CreusaSilence is not for me. Bid me not be still; for lo! I see the ark wherein I did expose thee, my child, in days gone by, whilst yet a tender babe ~~in the cavern of~~ ~~Cecrops, ’neath the rocky roof of Macrae~~. So now will I leave this altar, though death await me.IonSeize her; she is mad, springing thus from the shelter of the carved altar. Bind her arms.CreusaKill! spare not! for I to thee will cleave, and to this ark, and all that is within it.IonIs not this monstrous? here am I laid claim to on a specious pretext.CreusaNay, nay, but as a friend art thou by friends now found.IonI a friend of thine! and wouldst thou, then, have slain me privily?CreusaThou art my child, if that is what a parent holds most dear.IonAn end to thy web of falsehood! Right well will I convict thee.CreusaMy child, that is my aim; God grant I reach it!IonIs this ark empty, or hath it aught within?CreusaThy raiment wherein I exposed thee long ago.IonWilt put a name thereto before thou see it?CreusaUnless I describe it, I offer to die.IonSay on; there is something strange in this thy confidence.CreusaBehold the robe my childish fingers wove.IonDescribe it; maidens weave many a pattern.