IONA TAURINA (COMING FORWARD): 
Gentlemen Swine, and gentle Lady-Pigs,
The tender heart of every Boar acquits
Their QUEEN, of any act incongruous
With native Piggishness, and she, reposing 160
With confidence upon the grunting nation,
Has thrown herself, her cause, her life, her all,
Her innocence, into their Hoggish arms;
Nor has the expectation been deceived
Of finding shelter there.  Yet know, great Boars, 165
(For such whoever lives among you finds you,
And so do I), the innocent are proud! 
I have accepted your protection only
In compliment of your kind love and care,
Not for necessity.  The innocent 170
Are safest there where trials and dangers wait;
Innocent Queens o’er white-hot ploughshares tread
Unsinged, and ladies, Erin’s laureate sings it,
Decked with rare gems, and beauty rarer still,
Walked from Killarney to the Giant’s Causeway, 175
Through rebels, smugglers, troops of yeomanry,
White-boys and Orange-boys, and constables,
Tithe-proctors, and excise people, uninjured! 
Thus I!—­
Lord Purganax, I do commit myself 180
Into your custody, and am prepared
To stand the test, whatever it may be!

NOTE: 
(173 ‘Rich and rare were the gems she wore.’  See Moore’s “Irish
Melodies".—­ [SHELLEY’S NOTE.])

PURGANAX: 
This magnanimity in your sacred Majesty
Must please the Pigs.  You cannot fail of being
A heavenly angel.  Smoke your bits of glass, 185
Ye loyal Swine, or her transfiguration
Will blind your wondering eyes.

AN OLD BOAR [ASIDE]: 
Take care, my Lord,
They do not smoke you first.

PURGANAX: 
At the approaching feast
Of Famine, let the expiation be.

SWINE: 
Content! content!

IONA TAURINA [ASIDE]: 
I, most content of all, 190
Know that my foes even thus prepare their fall!

[EXEUNT OMNES.]

SCENE 2.2: 
THE INTERIOR OF THE TEMPLE OF FAMINE. 
THE STATUE OF THE GODDESS, A SKELETON CLOTHED IN PARTI-COLOURED RAGS,
SEATED UPON A HEAP OF SKULLS AND LOAVES INTERMINGLED.
A NUMBER OF EXCEEDINGLY FAT PRIESTS IN BLACK GARMENTS ARRAYED ON EACH
SIDE, WITH MARROW-BONES AND CLEAVERS IN THEIR HANDS.
[SOLOMON, THE COURT PORKMAN.]
A FLOURISH OF TRUMPETS.

ENTER MAMMON AS ARCH-PRIEST, SWELLFOOT, DAKRY, PURGANAX, LAOCTONOS,
FOLLOWED BY IONA TAURINA GUARDED.
ON THE OTHER SIDE ENTER THE SWINE.