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BULLS, AND ARRANGE THEMSELVES QUIETLY BEHIND THE ALTAR. THE IMAGE OF

Percy Bysshe Shelley

FAMINE SINKS THROUGH A CHASM IN THE EARTH, AND A MINOTAUR RISES.]

 

MINOTAUR:

I am the Ionian Minotaur, the mightiest

Of all Europa’s taurine progeny—

I am the old traditional Man-Bull; _105

And from my ancestors having been Ionian,

I am called Ion, which, by interpretation,

Is JOHN; in plain Theban, that is to say,

My name’s JOHN BULL; I am a famous hunter,

And can leaf any gate in all Boeotia, _110

Even the palings of the royal park,

Or double ditch about the new enclosures;

And if your Majesty will deign to mount me,

At least till you have hunted down your game,

I will not throw you. _115

 

IONA TAURINA [DURING THIS SPEECH SHE HAS BEEN PUTTING ON BOOTS AND