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A huger hecatomb than Julian's
Insensate sacrifice of snow white bulls
From his last altar to Apollo flame,
Soon shall Himself, his temple, and his grove
Go up in fire.
(Callixena hurries down steps right with Ion clinging to her mantle.)
Torches, torches, lights.
Callixena:
Ion, the troopers tarry still to come.
These Galileans, factious and turbulent,
Sudden and fierce as Phyrminos in flood,
Threaten the shrine of Helios himself,
(Ion climbs over wall centre.)
So gliding by the hidden postern door
Fleet under shadow of the cedar trees
Along the line of Trajan's aqueduct,
And give the alarm in Antioch.
