Ah, what further news is there for me?

Old ServantWhether our master is in the same plight and shares thy misfortune, or thou art alone in thy misery. ChorusOn him, old sir, Loxias hath bestowed a son, and he is enjoying his good fortune apart from her.CreusaHerein hast thou declared a further evil crowning all, a grief for me to mourn.Old ServantThe child of whom thou speakest—is he some woman’s destined babe, or did the god declare the fate of one already born?ChorusA youth already born and grown to man’s estate doth Phoebus give to him; for I was there myself.CreusaWhat sayest thou? nor tongue nor lip should speak the word thou tellest me.Old ServantAnd me. But declare more clearly how this oracle is finding its fulfilment, and say who is the child.ChorusWhomso thy husband first should meet as he issued from the shrine, him the god gave him for his son.CreusaAh me! my fate, it seems, has doomed me to a childless life, and all forlorn am I to dwell in ray halls, without an heir.Old ServantTo whom did the oracle refer? whom did our poor lady’s husband meet? how and where did he see him?ChorusDear mistress mine, dost know that youth that was sweeping yonder shrine? He is that son.CreusaOh! for wings to cleave the liquid air beyond the land of Hellas, away to the western stars, so keen the anguish of my soul, my friends!Old ServantDost know the name his father gave to him, or is that left as yet unsettled and unsaid?ChorusHe called him Ion, because he was the first to cross his path.Old ServantWho is his mother?ChorusThat I cannot say. But,—to tell thee all I know, old sir,—