Pyth. Pr. Yes, so have I ever been called, and the title causes me no regret.
Ion. Hast heard how this woman plotted my death?
Pyth. Pr. I have; thou, too, art wrong because of thy harshness.
Ion. Am I not to pay back murderers in their coin?
Pyth. Pr. Wives ever hate the children of a former marriage.
Ion. As I hate step-dames for their evil treatment of me.
Pyth. Pr. Do not so; but leaving, as thou art, the shrine, and setting forth for thy country
Ion. What then wouldst thou advise me do?
Pyth. Pr. With clean hands seek Athens, attended by good omens.
Ion. Surely any man hath clean hands who slays his enemies.
Pyth. Pr. Do not thou do this; but take the counsel that I have for thee.
Ion. Say on; whate'er thou say'st will be prompted by thy good will.
Pyth. Pr. Dost see this basket that I carry in my arms?
Ion. An ancient ark with chaplets crowned.
Pyth. Pr. Herein I found thee long ago, a newborn babe.
Ion. What sayest thou? there is novelty in the story thou art introducing.
Pyth. Pr. Yea, for I was keeping these relics a secret, but now I show them.
Ion. How camest thou to hide them on that day, now long ago, when thou didst find me?
Pyth. Pr. The god wished to have thee as his servant in his courts.
Ion. Does he no longer wish it? How am I to know this?
Pyth. Pr. By declaring to thee thy sire, he dismisses thee from this land.
