Did the earth really open its mouth and swallow thy father?CreusaThe sea-god smote and slew him with his trident.IonIs there a spot there called Macrae?CreusaWhy ask that? what memories thou recallest!IonDoth the Pythian god with his flashing fire do honour to the place?CreusaHonour, yes! Honour, indeed! would I had never seen the spot!IonHow now? dost thou abhor that which the god holds dear?CreusaNo, no; but I and that cave are witnesses of a deed of shame.IonLady, who is the Athenian lord that calls thee wife?CreusaNo citizen of Athens, but a stranger from another land.IonWho is he? he must have been one of noble birth.CreusaXuthus, son of Aeolus, sprung from Zeus.IonAnd how did he, a stranger, win thee a native born?CreusaHard by Athens lies a neighbouring township, Euboea.IonWith a bounding line of waters in between, so I have heard.CreusaThis did he sack, making common cause with Cecrops’ sons.IonComing as an ally, maybe; he won thy hand for this?CreusaYes, this was his dower of battle, the prize of his prowess.IonArt thou come to the oracle alone, or with thy lord?CreusaWith him. But he is now visiting the cavern of Trophonius.