[Choral  Entry Song — Parodos]
(their chant in unison can be heard long before they can be seen) [185]

Truly! I had thought that only in most holy Ath-
-ens could one find columned app-
-ealing temples of the gods, or faceless plinths of Agy-
-ieus Apollo, protector of ways, worshipped.

But here also in the home of twisty Loxias,
Son of Leto do those twin eyes shine:
the Jewels of the face gleaming with beautiful light

(as they come into view, the unified chorus splits apart, individuals excitedly running to different places on the stage and everyone speaking in a babble. Occasional voices can be heard more clearly. Scholars believe that the statues are present although they are more divided on the friezes.)

—Oh! Look there —
Statues as big as life! The monster born from the dark earth – the Lernaen Hydra– slain
By the golden sickle of the very son of Zeus!
Do you see it my friend – right before our very eyes!

–I see! And near him an-
other raises to its neck a torch, bronzed flames blazing bright.

–But who could it be?

– Is it  really he one whom I always sing
About while we weave…

–It is our idol: Iolus the shield-bearer — he willingly
Helps shoulder the weight of his friend’s heavy burdens
even though the son of Zeus is pressed down under such labours (200)

–Amazing! Oooh!

— Look at this hero over here:
Mounted on a winged horse…

–He passes through fiery breath to slay
Another of Earth’s monsters: the three-bodied terror, Chimaera

-Everywhere I turn my eyes are
Riveted. Look, up in the temple frieze —

–It is the war in heaven against the children of the Earth: the Gigantomachy!

–Oh my friends, I can’t believe it but we see it too.

–Over here – locked in battle with the horrible Gigant lord Enceladus–
Do you see her? Defending herself with the round shield, gorgon’s face staring out?

–I can’t believe my eyes: it is Pallas Athena – our very own goddess.

–Oh do you see the legendary thunder-bolt,
Both-Ends-ablaze? Zeus holds it
in his hands like a javelin, poised to far-throw?

–I see it: And I see his target, the horrible monster
Mimas already burning in the fire.

–And there – the loud roaring-one — you can tell it
By seeing his famous undefeatable ivy staff – he is
killing another Earth-born monster

–It that really Bacchus?!

— End of entrance song, the Chorus returns to normal dialogue—

Chorus
Hey you –you, attendant beside the temple— (Ion points to himself)
Yes, you: does the sacred law here permit us to enter
the temple interior? Bare-footed, of course.

Ion
Apologies, guests, this is not allowed.

Chorus
Oh. Is it alright if we ask you some things then?

Ion
Of course. What can I help you with?

Chorus
Is it really true that we can see the ‘omphalos’ – the center
of the Earth, Gaia’s very bellybutton – right there inside Apollo’s temple?

Ion
Of course –
“With garlands, crowned and Gorgons, encircled.”

Chorus
Just like everyone says!

[Some chorus members start to move forward, others trying to peek inside the temple]

Ion
[Excuse me, guests. Let me explain the rules:]
You must first pay the sacrifice fee
If you seek to ask a question of Phoebus
– there is a box beside the temple where you can place your coins–
In that case (and only that case) you may go further, approaching the altar outside and wait.
but until a priest has come to collect and goats have been formally sacrificed,
there can be no entrance into the temple’s inner sanctum.

Chorus:
Of course. I understand. This is the god’s edict –
We would not dare cross such a line.
Besides, all this outside is already a treat for my eyes.

Ion
Then please feel free to take your time and wander the grounds, take a look at whatever you like
– so long as you do not violate any rules and you look with your eyes only.

Chorus
Sadly, we are not free or free to wander. Our master
Has only permitted us to look around here, outside of the god’s inner sanctuary.

Ion
Oh, I did not realize that you were also slaves. Whose house do you serve?

Chorus
Pallas Athena’s, originally. She owns and lives in the palatial halls where
The line of our masters also resides. [Creousa enters]
But here is the very mistress whose house you were asking about. 237