Nestor
YOU，COCHRANE，WHATCITYSENTFORHIM？——
Tarentum，sir——
Verygood。Well？——
Therewasabattle，sir——
Verygood。Where？
Theboy’sblankfaceaskedtheblankwindow。
Fabledbythedaughtersofmemory。Andyetitwasinsomewayifnotasmemoryfabledit。Aphrase，then，ofimpatience，thudofBlake’swingsofexcess。Iheartheruinofallspace，shatteredglassandtopplingmasonry，andtimeonelividfinalflame。What’sleftusthen？——
Iforgottheplace，sir。279B。C——
Asculum，Stephensaid，glancingatthenameanddateinthegorescarredbook——
Yes，sir。Andhesaid:Anothervictorylikethatandwearedonefor。
Thatphrasetheworldhadremembered。Adulleaseofthemind。Fromahillaboveacorpsestrewnplainageneralspeakingtohisofficers，leaneduponhisspear。Anygeneraltoanyofficers。Theylendear——
You，Armstrong，Stephensaid。WhatwastheendofPyrrhus？——
EndofPyrrhus，sir？——
Iknow，sir。Askme，sir，Comynsaid——
Wait。You，Armstrong。DoyouknowanythingaboutPyrrhus？
AbagoffigrollslaysnuglyinArmstrong’ssatchel。Hecurledthembetweenhispalmsatwhilesandswallowedthemsoftly。Crumbsadheredtothetissuesofhislips。Asweetenedboy’sbreath。Welloffpeople，proudthattheireldestsonwasinthenavy。VicoRoad，Dalkey——
Pyrrhus，sir？Pyrrhus，apier。
Alllaughed。Mirthlesshighmaliciouslaughter。Armstronglookedroundathisclassmates，sillygleeinprofile。Inamomenttheywilllaughmoreloudly，awareofmylackofruleandofthefeestheirpapaspay——
Tellmenow，Stephensaid，pokingtheboy’sshoulderwiththebook，whatisapier——
Apier，sir，Armstrongsaid。Athingoutinthewaves。Akindofbridge。Kingstownpier，sir。
Somelaughedagain:mirthlessbutwithmeaning。Twointhebackbenchwhispered。Yes。Theyknew:hadneverlearnednoreverbeeninnocent。All。Withenvyhewatchedtheirfaces。Edith，Ethel，Gerty，Lily。Theirlikes:theirbreaths，too，sweetenedwithteaandjam，theirbraceletstitteringinthestruggle——
Kingstownpier，Stephensaid。Yes，adisappointedbridge。Thewordstroubledtheirgaze——
How，sir？Comynasked。Abridgeisacrossariver。
ForHaines’schapbook。No-oneheretohear。Tonightdeftlyamidwilddrinkandtalk，topiercethepolishedmailofhismind。Whatthen？Ajesteratthecourtofhismaster，indulgedanddisesteemed，winningaclementmaster’spraise。Whyhadtheychosenallthatpart？Notwhollyforthesmoothcaress。Forthemtoohistorywasatalelikeanyothertoooftenheard，theirlandapawnshop。
HadPyrrhusnotfallenbyabeldam’shandinArgosorJuliusCaesarnotbeenknifedtodeath？Theyarenottobethoughtaway。Timehasbrandedthemandfetteredtheyarelodgedintheroomoftheinfinitepossibilitiestheyhaveousted。Butcanthosehavebeenpossibleseeingthattheyneverwere？Orwasthatonlypossiblewhichcametopass？Weave，weaverofthewind——
Tellusastory，sir——
Oh，do，sir，aghoststory——
Wheredoyoubegininthis？Stephenasked，openinganotherbook——
Weepnomore，Comynsaid——
Goonthen，Talbot——
Andthehistory，sir？——
After，Stephensaid。Goon，Talbot。
Aswarthyboyopenedabookandproppeditnimblyunderthebreastworkofhissatchel。Herecitedjerksofversewithoddglancesatthetext:——
Weepnomore，wofulshepherd，weepnomore
ForLycidas，yoursorrow，isnotdead，
Sunkthoughhebebeneaththewateryfloor……
Itmustbeamovementthen，anactualityofthepossibleaspossible。Aristotle’sphraseformeditselfwithinthegabbledversesandfloatedoutintothestudioussilenceofthelibraryofSaintGenevievewherehehadread，shelteredfromthesinofParis，nightbynight。ByhiselbowadelicateSiameseconnedahandbookofstrategy。Fedandfeedingbrainsaboutme:underglowlamps，impaled，withfaintlybeatingfeelers:andinmymind’sdarknessaslothoftheunderworld，reluctant，shyofbrightness，shiftingherdragonscalyfolds。Thoughtisthethoughtofthought。Tranquilbrightness。Thesoulisinamannerallthatis:thesoulistheformofforms。Tranquillitysudden，vast，candescent:formofforms。
Talbotrepeated:——
ThroughthedearmightofHimthatwalkedthewaves，
Throughthedearmight——
Turnover，Stephensaidquietly。Idon’tseeanything——
What，sir？Talbotaskedsimply，bendingforward。
Hishandturnedthepageover。Heleanedbackandwentonagainhavingjustremembered。Ofhimthatwalkedthewaves。Herealsooverthesecravenheartshisshadowliesandonthescoffer’sheartandlipsandonmine。Itliesupontheireagerfaceswhoofferedhimacoinofthetribute。ToCaesarwhatisCaesar’s，toGodwhatisGod’s。Alonglookfromdarkeyes，ariddlingsentencetobewovenonthechurch’slooms。Ay。
Riddleme，riddleme，randyro。
Myfathergavemeseedstosow。
Talbotslidhisclosedbookintohissatchel——
HaveIheardall？Stephenasked——
Yes，sir。Hockeyatten，sir——
Halfday，sir。Thursday——
Whocananswerariddle？Stephenasked。
Theybundledtheirbooksaway，pencilsclacking，pagesrustling。Crowdingtogethertheystrappedandbuckledtheirsatchels，allgabblinggaily:——
Ariddle，sir？Askme，sir——
O，askme，sir——
Ahardone，sir——
Thisistheriddle，Stephensaid。
Thecockcrew
Theskywasblue:
Thebellsinheaven
Werestrikingeleven。
Tistimeforthispoorsoul
Togotoheaven——
Whatisthat？——
What，sir？——
Again，sir。Wedidn’thear。
Theireyesgrewbiggerasthelineswererepeated。AfterasilenceCochranesaid:——
Whatisit，sir？Wegiveitup。
Stephen，histhroatitching，answered:——
Thefoxburyinghisgrandmotherunderahollybush。
Hestoodupandgaveashoutofnervouslaughtertowhichtheircriesechoeddismay。
Astickstruckthedoorandavoiceinthecorridorcalled:——
Hockey！
Theybrokeasunder，sidlingoutoftheirbenches，leapingthem。Quicklytheyweregoneandfromthelumberroomcametherattleofsticksandclamouroftheirbootsandtongues。
Sargentwhoalonehadlingeredcameforwardslowly，showinganopencopybook。Histangledhairandscraggyneckgavewitnessofunreadinessandthroughhismistyglassesweakeyeslookeduppleading。Onhischeek，dullandbloodless，asoftstainofinklay，dateshaped，recentanddampasasnail’sbed。
Heheldouthiscopybook。ThewordSumswaswrittenontheheadline。Beneathwereslopingfiguresandatthefootacrookedsignaturewithblindloopsandablot。CyrilSargent:hisnameandseal——
MrDeasytoldmetowritethemoutallagain，hesaid，andshowthemtoyou，sir。
Stephentouchedtheedgesofthebook。Futility——
Doyouunderstandhowtodothemnow？heasked——
Numberseleventofifteen，Sargentanswered。MrDeasysaidIwastocopythemofftheboard，sir——
Canyoudothemyourself？Stephenasked——
No，sir。
Uglyandfutile:leanneckandtangledhairandastainofink，asnail’sbed。Yetsomeonehadlovedhim，bornehiminherarmsandinherheart。Butforhertheraceoftheworldwouldhavetrampledhimunderfoot，asquashedbonelesssnail。Shehadlovedhisweakwateryblooddrainedfromherown。Wasthatthenreal？Theonlytruethinginlife？Hismother’sprostratebodythefieryColumbanusinholyzealbestrode。Shewasnomore:thetremblingskeletonofatwigburntinthefire，anodourofrosewoodandwettedashes。Shehadsavedhimfrombeingtrampledunderfootandhadgone，scarcelyhavingbeen。Apoorsoulgonetoheaven:andonaheathbeneathwinkingstarsafox，redreekofrapineinhisfur，withmercilessbrighteyesscrapedintheearth，listened，scrapeduptheearth，listened，scrapedandscraped。
SittingathissideStephensolvedouttheproblem。HeprovesbyalgebrathatShakespeare’sghostisHamlet’sgrandfather。Sargentpeeredaskancethroughhisslantedglasses。Hockeysticksrattledinthelumberroom:thehollowknockofaballandcallsfromthefield。
Acrossthepagethesymbolsmovedingravemorrice，inthemummeryoftheirletters，wearingquaintcapsofsquaresandcubes。Givehands，traverse，bowtopartner:so:impsoffancyoftheMoors。Gonetoofromtheworld，AverroesandMosesMaimonides，darkmeninmienandmovement，flashingintheirmockingmirrorstheobscuresouloftheworld，adarknessshininginbrightnesswhichbrightnesscouldnotcomprehend——
Doyouunderstandnow？Canyouworkthesecondforyourself？——
Yes，sir。
InlongshadystrokesSargentcopiedthedata。Waitingalwaysforawordofhelphishandmovedfaithfullytheunsteadysymbols，afainthueofshameflickeringbehindhisdullskin。Amormatris:subjectiveandobjectivegenitive。Withherweakbloodandwheysourmilkshehadfedhimandhidfromsightofothershisswaddlingbands。
LikehimwasI，theseslopingshoulders，thisgracelessness。Mychildhoodbendsbesideme。Toofarformetolayahandthereonceorlightly。Mineisfarandhissecretasoureyes。Secrets，silent，stonysitinthedarkpalacesofbothourhearts:secretswearyoftheirtyranny:tyrantswillingtobedethroned。
Thesumwasdone——
Itisverysimple，Stephensaidashestoodup——
Yes，sir。Thanks，Sargentanswered。
Hedriedthepagewithasheetofthinblottingpaperandcarriedhiscopybookbacktohisdesk——
Youhadbettergetyourstickandgoouttotheothers，Stephensaidashefollowedtowardsthedoortheboy’sgracelessform——
Yes，sir。
Inthecorridorhisnamewasheard，calledfromtheplayfield——
Sargent！——
Runon，Stephensaid。MrDeasyiscallingyou。
Hestoodintheporchandwatchedthelaggardhurrytowardsthescrappyfieldwheresharpvoiceswereinstrife。TheyweresortedinteamsandMrDeasycamesteppingoverwispsofgrasswithgaiteredfeet。Whenhehadreachedtheschoolhousevoicesagaincontendingcalledtohim。Heturnedhisangrywhitemoustache——
Whatisitnow？hecriedcontinuallywithoutlistening——
CochraneandHallidayareonthesameside，sir，Stephencried——
Willyouwaitinmystudyforamoment，MrDeasysaid，tillIrestoreorderhere。
Andashesteppedfussilybackacrossthefieldhisoldman’svoicecriedsternly:——
Whatisthematter？Whatisitnow？
Theirsharpvoicescriedabouthimonallsides:theirmanyformsclosedroundhim，thegarishsunshinebleachingthehoneyofhisilldyedhead。
Stalesmokyairhunginthestudywiththesmellofdrababradedleatherofitschairs。Asonthefirstdayhebargainedwithmehere。Asitwasinthebeginning，isnow。OnthesideboardthetrayofStuartcoins，basetreasureofabog:andevershallbe。Andsnugintheirspooncaseofpurpleplush，faded，thetwelveapostleshavingpreachedtoallthegentiles:worldwithoutend。
Ahastystepoverthestoneporchandinthecorridor。BlowingouthisraremoustacheMrDeasyhaltedatthetable——
First，ourlittlefinancialsettlement，hesaid。
Hebroughtoutofhiscoatapocketbookboundbyaleatherthong。Itslappedopenandhetookfromittwonotes，oneofjoinedhalves，andlaidthemcarefullyonthetable——
Two，hesaid，strappingandstowinghispocketbookaway。
Andnowhisstrongroomforthegold。Stephen’sembarrassedhandmovedovertheshellsheapedinthecoldstonemortar:whelksandmoney，cowriesandleopardshells:andthis，whorledasanemir’sturban，andthis，thescallopofSaintJames。Anoldpilgrim’shoard，deadtreasure，hollowshells。
Asovereignfell，brightandnew，onthesoftpileofthetablecloth——
Three，MrDeasysaid，turninghislittlesavingsboxaboutinhishand。Thesearehandythingstohave。See。Thisisforsovereigns。Thisisforshillings，sixpences，halfcrowns。Andherecrowns。See。
Heshotfromittwocrownsandtwoshillings——
Threetwelve，hesaid。Ithinkyou’llfindthat’sright——
Thankyou，sir，Stephensaid，gatheringthemoneytogetherwithshyhasteandputtingitallinapocketofhistrousers——
Nothanksatall，MrDeasysaid。Youhaveearnedit。
Stephen’shand，freeagain，wentbacktothehollowshells。Symbolstooofbeautyandofpower。Alumpinmypocket。Symbolssoiledbygreedandmisery——
Don’tcarryitlikethat，MrDeasysaid。You’llpullitoutsomewhereandloseit。Youjustbuyoneofthesemachines。You’llfindthemveryhandy。
Answersomething——
Minewouldbeoftenempty，Stephensaid。
Thesameroomandhour，thesamewisdom:andIthesame。Threetimesnow。Threenoosesroundmehere。Well。IcanbreaktheminthisinstantifIwill——
Becauseyoudon’tsave，MrDeasysaid，pointinghisfinger。Youdon’tknowyetwhatmoneyis。Moneyispower，whenyouhavelivedaslongasIhave。Iknow，Iknow。Ifyouthbutknew。ButwhatdoesShakespearesay？Putbutmoneyinthypurse——
Iago，Stephenmurmured。
Heliftedhisgazefromtheidleshellstotheoldman’sstare——
Heknewwhatmoneywas，MrDeasysaid。Hemademoney。ApoetbutanEnglishmantoo。DoyouknowwhatistheprideoftheEnglish？DoyouknowwhatistheproudestwordyouwilleverhearfromanEnglishman’smouth？
Theseas’ruler。Hisseacoldeyeslookedontheemptybay:historyistoblame:onmeandonmywords，unhating——
Thatonhisempire，Stephensaid，thesunneversets——
Ba！MrDeasycried。That’snotEnglish。AFrenchCeltsaidthat。Hetappedhissavingsboxagainsthisthumbnail——
Iwilltellyou，hesaidsolemnly，whatishisproudestboast。Ipaidmyway。
Goodman，goodman——
Ipaidmyway。Ineverborrowedashillinginmylife。Canyoufeelthat？Iowenothing。Canyou？
Mulligan，ninepounds，threepairsofsocks，onepairbrogues，ties。Curran，tenguineas。McCann，oneguinea。FredRyan，twoshillings。Temple，twolunches。Russell，oneguinea，Cousins，tenshillings，BobReynolds，halfaguinea，Kohler，threeguineas，MrsMcKernan，fiveweeks’board。ThelumpIhaveisuseless——
Forthemoment，no，Stephenanswered。
MrDeasylaughedwithrichdelight，puttingbackhissavingsbox——
Iknewyoucouldn’t，hesaidjoyously。Butonedayyoumustfeelit。Weareagenerouspeoplebutwemustalsobejust——
Ifearthosebigwords，Stephensaid，whichmakeussounhappy。
MrDeasystaredsternlyforsomemomentsoverthemantelpieceattheshapelybulkofamanintartanfillibegs:AlbertEdward，PrinceofWales——
Youthinkmeanoldfogeyandanoldtory，histhoughtfulvoicesaid。IsawthreegenerationssinceO’Connell’stime。Irememberthefamine。DoyouknowthattheorangelodgesagitatedforrepealoftheuniontwentyyearsbeforeO’Connelldidorbeforetheprelatesofyourcommuniondenouncedhimasademagogue？Youfeniansforgetsomethings。
Glorious，piousandimmortalmemory。ThelodgeofDiamondinArmaghthesplendidbehungwithcorpsesofpapishes。Hoarse，maskedandarmed，theplanters’covenant。Theblacknorthandtruebluebible。Croppiesliedown。
Stephensketchedabriefgesture——
Ihaverebelbloodinmetoo，MrDeasysaid。Onthespindleside。ButIamdescendedfromsirJohnBlackwoodwhovotedfortheunion。WeareallIrish，allkings’sons——
Alas，Stephensaid——
Perviasrectas，MrDeasysaidfirmly，washismotto。HevotedforitandputonhistopbootstoridetoDublinfromtheArdsofDowntodoso。
Laltheralthera
TherockyroadtoDublin。
Agruffsquireonhorsebackwithshinytopboots。Softday，sirJohn。Softday，yourhonour……Day……Day……TwotopbootsjogdanglingontoDublin。Laltheralthera，laltheraltheraddy——
Thatremindsme，MrDeasysaid。Youcandomeafavour，MrDedalus，withsomeofyourliteraryfriends:Ihavealetterhereforthepress。Sitdownamoment。Ihavejusttocopytheend。
Hewenttothedesknearthewindow，pulledinhischairtwiceandreadoffsomewordsfromthesheetonthedrumofhistypewriter——
Sitdown。Excuseme，hesaidoverhisshoulder，thedictatesofcommonsense。Justamoment。
Hepeeredfromunderhisshaggybrowsatthemanuscriptbyhiselbowand，muttering，begantoprodthestiffbuttonsofthekeyboardslowly，sometimesblowingashescrewedupthedrumtoeraseanerror。
Stephenseatedhimselfnoiselesslybeforetheprincelypresence。Framedaroundthewallsimagesofvanishedhorsesstoodinhomage，theirmeekheadspoisedinair:lordHastings’Repulse，thedukeofWestminster’sShotover，thedukeofBeaufort’sCeylon，prixdeParis，1866。Elfinriderssatthem，watchfulofasign。Hesawtheirspeeds，backingKing’scolours，andshoutedwiththeshoutsofvanishedcrowds——
Fullstop，MrDeasybadehiskeys。Butpromptventilationofthisimportantquestion……
WhereCranlyledmetogetrichquick，huntinghiswinnersamongthemudsplashedbrakes，amidthebawlsofbookiesontheirpitchesandreekofthecanteen，overthemotleyslush。EvenmoneyFairRebel:tentoonethefield。Dicersandthimbleriggerswehurriedbyafterthehoofs，thevyingcapsandjacketsandpastthemeatfacedwoman，abutcher’sdame，nuzzlingthirstilyhercloveoforange。
Shoutsrangshrillfromtheboys’playfieldandawhirringwhistle。
Again:agoal。Iamamongthem，amongtheirbattlingbodiesinamedley，thejoustoflife。Youmeanthatknockkneedmother’sdarlingwhoseemstobeslightlycrawsick？Jousts。Timeshockedrebounds，shockbyshock。Jousts，slushanduproarofbattles，thefrozendeathspewoftheslain，ashoutofspearspikesbaitedwithmen’sbloodiedguts——
Nowthen，MrDeasysaid，rising。
Hecametothetable，pinningtogetherhissheets。Stephenstoodup——
Ihaveputthematterintoanutshell，MrDeasysaid。It’saboutthefootandmouthdisease。Justlookthroughit。Therecanbenotwoopinionsonthematter。
MayItrespassonyourvaluablespace。Thatdoctrineoflaissezfairewhichsoofteninourhistory。Ourcattletrade。Thewayofallouroldindustries。LiverpoolringwhichjockeyedtheGalwayharbourscheme。Europeanconflagration。Grainsuppliesthroughthenarrowwatersofthechannel。Thepluterperfectimperturbabilityofthedepartmentofagriculture。Pardonedaclassicalallusion。Cassandra。Byawomanwhowasnobetterthansheshouldbe。Tocometothepointatissue——
Idon’tmincewords，doI？MrDeasyaskedasStephenreadon。
Footandmouthdisease。KnownasKoch’spreparation。Serumandvirus。Percentageofsaltedhorses。Rinderpest。Emperor’shorsesatMürzsteg，lowerAustria。Veterinarysurgeons。MrHenryBlackwoodPrice。Courteousofferafairtrial，Dictatesofcommonsense。Allimportantquestion。Ineverysenseofthewordtakethebullbythehorns。Thankingyouforthehospitalityofyourcolumns——
Iwantthattobeprintedandread，MrDeasysaid。YouwillseeatthenextoutbreaktheywillputanembargoonIrishcattle。Anditcanbecured。Itiscured。Mycousin，BlackwoodPrice，writestomeitisregularlytreatedandcuredinAustriabycattledoctorsthere。Theyoffertocomeoverhere。Iamtryingtoworkupinfluencewiththedepartment。NowI’mgoingtotrypublicity。Iamsurroundedbydifficulties，by……intrigues，by……backstairsinfluence，by……
Heraisedhisforefingerandbeattheairoldlybeforehisvoicespoke——
Markmywords，MrDedalus，hesaid。Englandisinthehandsofthejews。Inallthehighestplaces:herfinance，herpress。Andtheyarethesignsofanation’sdecay。Wherevertheygathertheyeatupthenation’svitalstrength。IhaveseenitComingtheseyears。Assureaswearestandingherethejewmerchantsarealreadyattheirworkofdestruction。OldEnglandisdying。
Hesteppedswiftlyoff，hiseyescomingtobluelifeastheypassedabroadsunbeam。Hefacedaboutandbackagain——
Dying，hesaid，ifnotdeadbynow。
Theharlot’scryfromstreettostreet
ShallweaveoldEngland’swindingsheet。
Hiseyesopenwideinvisionstaredsternlyacrossthesunbeaminwhichhehalted——
Amerchant，Stephensaid，isonewhobuyscheapandsellsdear，jeworgentile，ishenot？——
Theysinnedagainstthelight，MrDeasysaidgravely。Andyoucanseethedarknessintheireyes。Andthatiswhytheyarewanderersontheearthtothisday。
OnthestepsoftheParisStockExchangethegoldskinnedmenquotingpricesontheirgemmedfingers。Gabblesofgeese。Theyswarmedloud，uncouthaboutthetemple，theirheadsthickplottingundermaladroitsilkhats。Nottheirs:theseclothes，thisspeech，thesegestures。Theirfullsloweyesbeliedthewords，thegestureseagerandunoffending，butknewtherancoursmassedaboutthemandknewtheirzealwasvain。Vainpatiencetoheapandhoard。Timesurelywouldscatterall。Ahoardheapedbytheroadside:plunderedandpassingon。Theireyesknewtheyearsofwanderingand，patient，knewthedishonoursoftheirflesh——
Whohasnot？Stephensaid——
Whatdoyoumean？MrDeasyasked。
Hecameforwardapaceandstoodbythetable。Hisunderjawfellsidewaysopenuncertainly。Isthisoldwisdom？Hewaitstohearfromme——
History，Stephensaid，isanightmarefromwhichIamtryingtoawake。
Fromtheplayfieldtheboysraisedashout。Awhirringwhistle:goal。Whatifthatnightmaregaveyouabackkick？——
ThewaysoftheCreatorarenotourways，MrDeasysaid。Allhistorymovestowardsonegreatgoal，themanifestationofGod。
Stephenjerkedhisthumbtowardsthewindow，saying:——
ThatisGod。
Hooray！Ay！Whrrwhee！——
What？MrDeasyasked——
Ashoutinthestreet，Stephenanswered，shrugginghisshoulders。
MrDeasylookeddownandheldforawhilethewingsofhisnosetweakedbetweenhisfingers。Lookingupagainhesetthemfree——
Iamhappierthanyouare，hesaid。Wehavecommittedmanyerrorsandmanysins。Awomanbroughtsinintotheworld。Forawomanwhowasnobetterthansheshouldbe，Helen，therunawaywifeofMenelaus，tenyearstheGreeksmadewaronTroy。Afaithlesswifefirstbroughtthestrangerstoourshorehere，MacMurrough’swifeandherlemanO’Rourke，princeofBreffni。AwomantoobroughtParnelllow。Manyerrors，manyfailuresbutnottheonesin。Iamastrugglernowattheendofmydays。ButIwillfightfortherighttilltheend。
ForUlsterwillfight
AndUlsterwillberight。
Stephenraisedthesheetsinhishand——
Well，sir，hebegan——
Iforesee，MrDeasysaid，thatyouwillnotremainhereverylongatthiswork。Youwerenotborntobeateacher，Ithink。PerhapsIamwrong——
Alearnerrather，Stephensaid。
Andherewhatwillyoulearnmore？
MrDeasyshookhishead——
Whoknows？hesaid。Tolearnonemustbehumble。Butlifeisthegreatteacher。
Stephenrustledthesheetsagain——
Asregardsthese，hebegan——
Yes，MrDeasysaid。Youhavetwocopiesthere。Ifyoucanhavethempublishedatonce。
Telegraph。IrishHomestead——
Iwilltry，Stephensaid，andletyouknowtomorrow。Iknowtwoeditorsslightly。
Thatwilldo，MrDeasysaidbriskly。IwrotelastnighttoMrField，M。P。Thereisameetingofthecattletraders’associationtodayattheCityArmsHotel。Iaskedhimtolaymyletterbeforethemeeting。Youseeifyoucangetitintoyourtwopapers。Whatarethey？——
TheEveningTelegraph——
Thatwilldo，MrDeasysaid。Thereisnotimetolose。NowIhavetoanswerthatletterfrommycousin——
Goodmorning，sir，Stephensaid，puttingthesheetsinhispocket。Thankyou——
Notatall，MrDeasysaidashesearchedthepapersonhisdesk。Iliketobreakalancewithyou，oldasIam——
Goodmorning，sir，Stephensaidagain，bowingtohisbentback。
Hewentoutbytheopenporchanddownthegravelpathunderthetrees，hearingthecriesofvoicesandcrackofsticksfromtheplayfield。Thelionscouchantonthepillarsashepassedoutthroughthegate；toothlessterrors。StillIwillhelphiminhisfight。Mulliganwilldubmeanewname:thebullockbefriendingbard——
MrDedalus！
Runningafterme。Nomoreletters，Ihope——
Justonemoment——
Yes，sir，Stephensaid，turningbackatthegate。
MrDeasyhalted，breathinghardandswallowinghisbreath——
Ijustwantedtosay，hesaid。Ireland，theysay，hasthehonourofbeingtheonlycountrywhichneverpersecutedthejews。Doyouknowthat？No。Anddoyouknowwhy？
Hefrownedsternlyonthebrightair——
Why，sir？Stephenasked，beginningtosmile——
Becausesheneverletthemin，MrDeasysaidsolemnly。
Acoughballoflaughterleapedfromhisthroatdraggingafteritarattlingchainofphlegm。Heturnedbackquickly，coughing，laughing，hisliftedarmswavingtotheair——
Sheneverletthemin，hecriedagainthroughhislaughterashestampedongaiteredfeetoverthegravelofthepath。That’swhy。
Onhiswiseshouldersthroughthecheckerworkofleavesthesunflungspangles，dancingcoins。
Proteus
INELUCTABLEMODALITYOFTHEVISIBLE:ATLEASTTHATIFNOMORE，thoughtthroughmyeyes。SignaturesofallthingsIamheretoread，seaspawnandseawrack，thenearingtide，thatrustyboot。Snotgreen，bluesilver，rust:colouredsigns。Limitsofthediaphane。Butheadds:inbodies。Thenhewasawareofthembodiesbeforeofthemcoloured。How？Byknockinghissconceagainstthem，sure。Goeasy。Baldhewasandamillionaire，maestrodicolorchesanno。Limitofthediaphanein。Whyin？Diaphane，adiaphane。Ifyoucanputyourfivefingersthroughit，itisagate，ifnotadoor。Shutyoureyesandsee。
Stephenclosedhiseyestohearhisbootscrushcracklingwrackandshells。Youarewalkingthroughithowsomever。Iam，astrideatatime。Averyshortspaceoftimethroughveryshorttimesofspace。Five，six:thenacheinander。Exactly:andthatistheineluctablemodalityoftheaudible。Openyoureyes。No。Jesus！IfIfelloveracliffthatbeetleso’erhisbase，fellthroughthenebeneinanderineluctably。Iamgettingonnicelyinthedark。Myashswordhangsatmyside。Tapwithit:theydo。Mytwofeetinhisbootsareattheendofhislegs，nebeneinander。Soundssolid:madebythemalletofLosDemiurgos。AmIwalkingintoeternityalongSandymountstrand？Crush，crack，crick，crick。Wildseamoney。DominieDeasykensthema’。
Won’tyoucometoSandymount，
Madelinethemare？
Rhythmbegins，yousee。Ihear。Acatalectictetrameterofiambsmarching。No，agallop:delinethemare。
Openyoureyesnow。Iwill。Onemoment。Hasallvanishedsince？IfIopenandamforeverintheblackadiaphane。Basta！IwillseeifIcansee。
Seenow。Thereallthetimewithoutyou:andevershallbe，worldwithoutend。
TheycamedownthestepsfromLeahy’sterraceprudently，Frauenzimmer:anddowntheshelvingshoreflabbilytheirsplayedfeetsinkinginthesiltedsand。Likeme，likeAlgy，comingdowntoourmightymother。Numberoneswunglourdilyhermidwife’sbag，theother’sgamppokedinthebeach。Fromtheliberties，outfortheday。MrsFlorenceMacCabe，relictofthelatePatkMacCabe，deeplylamented，ofBrideStreet。Oneofhersisterhoodluggedmesquealingintolife。Creationfromnothing。Whathassheinthebag？Amisbirthwithatrailingnavelcord，hushedinruddywool。Thecordsofalllinkback，strandentwiningcableofallflesh。Thatiswhymysticmonks。Willyoubeasgods？Gazeinyouromphalos。Hello。Kinchhere。PutmeontoEdenville。Aleph，alpha:nought，nought，one。
SpouseandhelpmateofAdamKadmon:Heva，nakedEve。Shehadnonavel。Gaze。Bellywithoutblemish，bulgingbig，abuckleroftautvellum，no，whiteheapedcorn，orientandimmortal，standingfromeverlastingtoeverlasting。Wombofsin。
WombedinsindarknessIwastoo，madenotbegotten。Bythem，themanwithmyvoiceandmyeyesandaghostwomanwithashesonherbreath。Theyclaspedandsundered，didthecoupler’swill。FrombeforetheagesHewilledmeandnowmaynotwillmeawayoreverAlexeternastaysabouthim。IsthatthenthedivinesubstancewhereinFatherandSonareconsubstantial？WhereispoordearAriustotryconclusions？Warringhislifelongonthecontransmagnificandjewbangtantiality。Illstarredheresiarch。InaGreekwaterclosethebreathedhislast:euthanasia。Withbeadedmitreandwithcrozier，stalleduponhisthrone，widowerofawidowedsee，withupstiffedomophorion，withclottedhinderparts。
Airsrompedaroundhim，nippingandeagerairs。Theyarecoming，waves。Thewhitemanedseahorses，champing，brightwindbridled，thesteedsofMananaan。
Imustn’tforgethisletterforthepress。Andafter？TheShip，halftwelve。Bythewaygoeasywiththatmoneylikeagoodyoungimbecile。Yes，Imust。
Hispaceslackened。Here。AmIgoingtoAuntSara’sornot？Myconsubstantialfather’svoice。DidyouseeanythingofyourartistbrotherStephenlately？No？Surehe’snotdowninStrasburgterracewithhisauntSally？Couldn’theflyabithigherthanthat，eh？AndandandandtellusStephen，howisuncleSi？OweepingGod，thethingsImarriedinto。Deboysupindehayloft。Thedrunkenlittlecostdrawerandhisbrother，thecornetplayer。Highlyrespectablegondoliers。AndskeweyedWaltersirringhisfather，noless。Sir。Yes，sir。No，sir。Jesuswept:andnowonder，byChrist。
Ipullthewheezybelloftheirshutteredcottage:andwait。Theytakemeforadun，peeroutfromacoignofvantage——
It’sStephen，sir——
Lethimin。LetStephenin。
AboltdrawnbackandWalterwelcomesme——
Wethoughtyouweresomeoneelse。
InhisbroadbednuncleRichie，pillowedandblanketed，extendsoverthehillockofhiskneesasturdyforearm。Cleanchested。Hehaswashedtheuppermoiety——
Morrow，nephew。
HelaysasidethelapboardwhereonhedraftshisbillsofcostsfortheeyesofMasterGoffandMasterShaplandTandy，filingconsentsandcommonsearchesandawritofDucesTecum。Abogoakframeoverhisbaldhead:Wilde’sRequiescat。ThedroneofhismisleadingwhistlebringsWalterback——
Yes，sir？——
MaltforRichieandStephen，tellmother。Whereisshe？——
BathingCrissie，sir。
Papa’slittlebedpal。Lumpoflove——
No，uncleRichie——
CallmeRichie。Damnyourlithiawater。Itlowers。Whusky！——
UncleRichie，really——
SitdownorbythelawHarryI’llknockyoudown。
Waltersquintsvainlyforachair——
Hehasnothingtositdownon，sir——
Hehasnowheretoputit，youmug。BringinourChippendalechair。Wouldyoulikeabiteofsomething？Noneofyourdamnedlawdeedawairhere；therichofarasherfriedwithaherring？Sure？Somuchthebetter。Wehavenothinginthehousebutbackachepills。
All’erta！
HedronesbarsofFerrando’sariadesortita。Thegrandestnumber，Stephen，inthewholeopera。Listen。
Histunefulwhistlesoundsagain，finelyshaded，withrushesoftheair，hisfistsbigdrummingonhispaddedknees。
Thiswindissweeter。
Housesofdecay，mine，hisandall。YoutoldtheClongowesgentryyouhadanuncleajudgeandanuncleageneralinthearmy。Comeoutofthem，Stephen。Beautyisnotthere。NorinthestagnantbayofMarsh’slibrarywhereyoureadthefadingpropheciesofJoachimAbbas。Forwhom？Thehundredheadedrabbleofthecathedralclose。Ahaterofhiskindranfromthemtothewoodofmadness，hismanefoaminginthemoon，hiseyeballsstars。Houyhnhnm，horsenostrilled。Theovalequinefaces。Temple，BuckMulligan，FoxyCampbell。Lanternjaws。Abbasfather，furiousdean，whatoffencelaidfiretotheirbrains？Paff！Descende，calve，utnenimiumdecalveris。Agarlandofgreyhaironhiscomminatedheadseehimmeclamberingdowntothefootpacedescende，clutchingamonstrance，basiliskeyed。Getdown，baldpoll！Achoirgivesbackmenaceandecho，assistingaboutthealtar’shorns，thesnortedLatinofjackpriestsmovingburlyintheiralbs，tonsuredandoiledandgelded，fatwiththefatofkidneysofwheat。
Andatthesameinstantperhapsapriestroundthecorneriselevatingit。Dringdring！Andtwostreetsoffanotherlockingitintoapyx。Dringadring！Andinaladychapelanothertakinghouselalltohisowncheek。DringdringlDown，up，forward，back。DanOccamthoughtofthat，invincibledoctor。AmistyEnglishmorningtheimphypostasistickledhisbrain。Bringinghishostdownandkneelingheheardtwinewithhissecondbellthefirstbellinthetranseptheisliftinghisand，rising，heardnowIamliftingtheirtwobellsheiskneelingtwangindiphthong。
CousinStephen，youwillneverbeasaint。Isleofsaints。Youwereawfullyholy，weren’tyou？YouprayedtotheBlessedVirginthatyoumightnothavearednose。YouprayedtothedevilinSerpentineavenuethatthefubsywidowinfrontmightliftherclothesstillmorefromthewetstreet。Osi，certo！Sellyoursoulforthat，do，dyedragspinnedroundasquaw。Moretellme，morestill！OnthetopoftheHowthtramalonecryingtotherain:nakedwomen！Whataboutthat，eh？
Whataboutwhat？Whatelseweretheyinventedfor？
Readingtwopagesapieceofsevenbookseverynight，eh？Iwasyoung。Youbowedtoyourselfinthemirror，steppingforwardtoapplauseearnestly，strikingface。HurrayfortheGoddamnedidiot！Hray！No-onesaw:tellno-one。Booksyouweregoingtowritewithlettersfortitles。HaveyoureadhisF？Oyes，butIpreferQ。Yes，butWiswonderful。Oyes，W。Rememberyourepiphaniesongreenovalleaves，deeplydeep，copiestobesentifyoudiedtoallthegreatlibrariesoftheworld，includingAlexandria？Someonewastoreadthemthereafterafewthousandyear，amahamanvantara。PicodellaMirandolalike。Ay，verylikeawhale。Whenonereadsthesestrangepagesofonelonggoneonefeelsthatoneisatonewithonewhoonce……
Thegrainysandhadgonefromunderhisfeet。Hisbootstrodagainadampcracklingmast，razorshells，squeakingpebbles，thatontheunnumberedpebblesbeats，woodsievedbytheshipworm，lostArmada。Unwholesomesandflatswaitedtosuckhistreadingsoles，breathingupwardsewagebreath。Hecoastedthem，walkingwarily。Aporter-bottlestoodup，stoggedtoitswaist，inthecakeysanddough。Asentinel:isleofdreadfulthirst。Brokenhoopsontheshore；atthelandamazeofdarkcunningnets；fartherawaychalkscrawledbackdoorsandonthehigherbeachadryinglinewithtwocrucifiedshirts。Ringsend:wigwamsofbrownsteersmenandmastermariners。Humanshells。
Hehalted。IhavepassedthewaytoauntSara’s。AmInotgoingthere？Seemsnot。No-oneabout。HeturnednortheastandcrossedthefirmersandtowardsthePigeonhouse——
Quivousamisdanscettefichueposition？——
C’estlepigeon，Joseph。
Patrice，homeonfurlough，lappedwarmmilkwithmeinthebarMacMahon。Sonofthewildgoose，KevinEganofParis。Myfather’sabird，helappedthesweetlaitchaudwithpinkyoungtongue，plumpbunny’sface。Lap，lapin。Hehopestowininthegroslots。AboutthenatureofwomenhereadinMichelet。ButhemustsendmeLaViedeJésusbyM。LeoTaxil。Lentittohisfriend——
C’esttordant，vowssavez。Moijesuissocialiste。Jenecroispasenl’existencedeDieu。Fautpasledireàmonpère——
Ilcroit？——
Monpère，oui。
Schluss。Helaps。
MyLatinquarterhat。God，wesimplymustdressthecharacter。Iwantpucegloves。Youwereastudent，weren’tyou？Ofwhatintheotherdevil’sname？Paysayenn。P。C。N。，youknow:physiques，chimiquesetnaturelles。Aha。Eatingyourgroatsworthofmouencivet，fleshpotsofEgypt，elbowedbybelchingcabmen。Justsayinthemostnaturaltone:whenIwasinParis，boul’Mich’，Iusedto。Yes，usedtocarrypunchedticketstoproveanalibiiftheyarrestedyouformurdersomewhere。Justice。OnthenightoftheseventeenthofFebruary1904theprisonerwasseenbytwowitnesses。Otherfellowdidit:otherme。Hat，tie，overcoat，nose。Lui，c’estmoi。Youseemtohaveenjoyedyourself。
Proudlywalking。Whomwereyoutryingtowalklike？Forget:adispossessed。Withmother’smoneyorder，eightshillings，thebangingdoorofthepostofficeslammedinyourfacebytheusher。Hungertoothache。Encoredeuxminutes。Lookclock。Mustget。Fermé。Hireddog！Shoothimtobloodybitswithabangshotgun，bitsmanspatteredwallsallbrassbuttons。Bitsallkhrrrrklakinplaceclackback。Nothurt？O，that’sallright。Shakehands。SeewhatImeant，see？O，that’sallright。Shakeashake。O，that’sallonlyallright。
Youweregoingtodowonders，what？MissionarytoEuropeafterfieryColumbanus。FiacreandScotusontheircreepystoolsinheavenspiltfromtheirpintpots，loudlatinlaughing:Euge！Euge！PretendingtospeakbrokenEnglishasyoudraggedyourvalise，porterthreepence，acrosstheslimypieratNewhaven。Comment？Richbootyyoubroughtback；LeTutu，fivetatterednumbersofPantalonBlancetCulotteRouge，ablueFrenchtelegram，curiositytoshow:——
Motherdyingcomehomefather。
Theauntthinksyoukilledyourmother。That’swhyshewon’t。
Thenhere’sahealthtoMulligan’saunt
AndI’lltellyouthereasonwhy。
Shealwayskeptthingsdecentin
TheHanniganfamileye。
Hisfeetmarchedinsuddenproudrhythmoverthesandfurrows，alongbythebouldersofthesouthwall。Hestaredatthemproudly，piledstonemammothskulls。Goldlightonsea，onsand，onboulders。Thesunisthere，theslendertrees，thelemonhouses。
Parisrawlywaking，crudesunlightonherlemonstreets。Moistpithoffarlsofbread，thefroggreenwormwood，hermatinincense，courttheair。Belluomorisesfromthebedofhiswife’slover’swife，thekerchiefedhousewifeisastir，asaucerofaceticacidinherhands。InRodot’sYvonneandMadeleinenewmaketheirtumbledbeauties，shatteringwithgoldteethchaussonsofpastry，theirmouthsyellowedwiththepusofflanbreton。FacesofParismengoby，theirwellpleasedpleasers，curledconquistadores。
Noonslumbers。KevinEganrollsgunpowdercigarettesthroughfingerssmearedwithprinter’sink，sippinghisgreenfairyasPatricehiswhite。Aboutusgobblersforkspicedbeansdowntheirgullets。Undemisetier！Ajetofcoffeesteamfromtheburnishedcaldron。Sheservesmeathisbeck。Ilestirlandais。Hollandais？Nonfromage。Deuxirlandais，nous，Irlande，voussavez？Ahoui！Shethoughtyouwantedacheesehollandais。Yourpostprandial，doyouknowthatword？Postprandial。TherewasafellowIknewonceinBarcelona，queerfellow，usedtocallithispostprandial。Well:slainte！Aroundtheslabbedtablesthetangleofwinedbreathsandgrumblinggorges。Hisbreathhangsoveroursaucestainedplates，thegreenfairy’sfangthrustingbetweenhislips。OfIreland，theDalcassians，ofhopes，conspiracies，ofArthurGriffithnow。Toyokemeashisyokefellow，ourcrimesourcommoncause。You’reyourfather’sson。Iknowthevoice。Hisfustianshirt，sanguineflowered，tremblesitsSpanishtasselsathissecrets。M。Drumont，famousjournalist，Drumont，knowwhathecalledqueenVictoria？Oldhagwiththeyellowteeth。Vieilleogressewiththedentsjaunes。MaudGonne，beautifulwoman，LaPatrie，M。Millevoye，FélixFaure，knowhowhedied？Licentiousmen。Thefroeken，bonneàtoutfaire，whorubsmalenakednessinthebathatUpsala。Moifaire，shesaid。Touslesmessieurs。NotthisMonsieur，Isaid。Mostlicentiouscustom。Bathamostprivatething。Iwouldn’tletmybrother，notevenmyownbrother，mostlasciviousthing。Greeneyes，Iseeyou。Fang，Ifeel。Lasciviouspeople。
Thebluefuseburnsdeadlybetweenhandsandburnsclear。Loosetobaccoshredscatchfire:aflameandacridsmokelightourcorner。Rawfacebonesunderhispeepofdayboy’shat。Howtheheadcentregotaway，authenticversion。Gotupasayoungbride，man，veilorangeblossoms，droveouttheroadtoMalahide。Did，faith。Oflostleaders，thebetrayed，wildescapes。Disguises，clutchedat，gone，nothere。
Spurnedlover。Iwasastrappingyounggossoonatthattime，Itellyou，I’llshowyoumylikenessoneday。Iwas，faith。Lover，forherloveheprowledwithcolonelRichardBurke，tanistofhissept，underthewallsofClerkenwelland，crouching，sawaflameofvengeancehurlthemupwardinthefog。Shatteredglassandtopplingmasonry。IngayPareehehides，EganofParis，unsoughtbyanysavebyme。Makinghisday’sstations，thedingyprintingcase，histhreetaverns，theMontmartrelairhesleepsshortnightin，ruedelaGoutte-d’Or，damascenedwithflyblownfacesofthegone。Loveless，landless，wifeless。Sheisquiteniceycomfywithoutheroutcastman，madame，inrueG？t-le-Coeur，canaryandtwobucklodgers。Peachycheeks，azebraskirt，friskyasayoungthing’s。Spurnedandundespairing。TellPatyousawme，won’tyou？IwantedtogetpoorPatajobonetime。Monfils，soldierofFrance。Itaughthimtosing。TheboysofKilkennyarestoutroaringblades。Knowthatoldlay？ItaughtPatricethat。OldKilkenny:saintCanice，Strongbow’scastleontheNore。Goeslikethis。O，O。Hetakesme，NapperTandy，bythehand。
O，Otheboysof
Kilkenny……
Weakwastinghandonmine。TheyhaveforgottenKevinEgan，nothethem。Rememberingthee，OSion。
Hehadcomenearertheedgeoftheseaandwetsandslappedhisboots。Thenewairgreetedhim，harpinginwildnerves，windofwildairofseedsofbrightness。Here，IamnotwalkingouttotheKishlightship，amI？Hestoodsuddenly，hisfeetbeginningtosinkslowlyinthequakingsoil。Turnback。
Turning，hescannedtheshoresouth，hisfeetsinkingagainslowlyinnewsockets。Thecolddomedroomofthetowerwaits。Throughthebarbicanstheshaftsoflightaremovingever，slowlyeverasmyfeetaresinking，creepingduskwardoverthedialfloor。Bluedusk，nightfall，deepbluenight。Inthedarknessofthedometheywait，theirpushedbackchairs，myobeliskvalise，aroundaboardofabandonedplatters。Whotoclearit？Hehasthekey。Iwillnotsleeptherewhenthisnightcomes。Ashutdoorofasilenttowerentombingtheirblindbodies，thepanthersahibandhispointer。Call:noanswer。Heliftedhisfeetupfromthesuckandturnedbackbythemoleofboulders。Takeall，keepall。Mysoulwalkswithme，formofforms。Sointhemoon’smidwatchesIpacethepathabovetherocks，insablesilvered，hearingElsinore’stemptingflood。
Thefloodisfollowingme。Icanwatchitflowpastfromhere。GetbackthenbythePoolbegroadtothestrandthere。Heclimbedoverthesedgeandeelyoarweedsandsatonastoolofrock，restinghisashplantinagrike。
Abloatedcarcassofadoglaylolledonbladderwrack。Beforehimthegunwaleofaboat，sunkinsand。Uncocheensablé，LouisVeuillotcalledGautier’sprose。Theseheavysandsarelanguagetideandwindhavesiltedhere。Andthere，thestoneheapsofdeadbuilders，awarrenofweaselrats。Hidegoldthere。Tryit。Youhavesome。Sandsandstones。Heavyofthepast。SirLout’stoys。Mindyoudon’tgetonebangontheear。I’mthebloodywellgigantrollsallthembloodywellboulders，bonesformysteppingstones。Feefawfum。IzmellzdebloodsodzanIridzman。
Apoint，livedog，grewintosightrunningacrossthesweepofsand。Lord，ishegoingtoattackme？Respecthisliberty。Youwillnotbemasterofothersortheirslave。Ihavemystick。Sittight。Fromfartheraway，walkingshorewardacrossfromthecrestedtide，figures，two。Thetwomaries。Theyhavetuckeditsafeamongthebulrushes。Peekaboo。Iseeyou。No，thedog。Heisrunningbacktothem。Who？
GalleysoftheLochlannsranheretobeach，inquestofprey，theirbloodbeakedprowsridinglowonamoltenpewtersun。Danevikings，torcsoftomahawksaglitterontheirbreastswhenMalachiworethecollarofgold。Aschoolofturlehidewhalesstrandedinhotnoon，spouting，hobblingintheshallows。Thenfromthestarvingcageworkcityahordeofjerkineddwarfs，mypeople，withflayers’knives，running，scaling，hackingingreenblubberywhalemeat。Famine，plagueandslaughters。Theirbloodisinme，theirlustsmywaves。ImovedamongthemonthefrozenLiffey，thatI，achangeling，amongthesplutteringresinfires。Ispoketono-one:nonetome。
Thedog’sbarkrantowardshim，stopped，ranback。Dogofmyenemy。Ijustsimplystoodpale，silent，bayedabout。Terribiliameditans。Aprimrosedoublet，fortune’sknave，smiledonmyfear。Forthatareyoupining，thebarkoftheirapplause？Pretenders:livetheirlives。TheBruce’sbrother，ThomasFitzgerald，silkenknight，PerkinWarbeck，York’sfalsescion，inbreechesofsilkofwhiteroseivory，wonderofaday，andLambertSimnel，withatailofnansandsutlers，ascullioncrowned。Allkings’sons。Paradiseofpretendersthenandnow。Hesavedmenfromdrowningandyoushakeatacur’syelping。ButthecourtierswhomockedGuidoinOrsanMichelewereintheirownhouse。Houseof……Wedon’twantanyofyourmedievalabstrusiosities。Wouldyoudowhathedid？Aboatwouldbenear，alifebuoy。Natürlich，putthereforyou。Wouldyouorwouldyounot？ThemanthatwasdrownedninedaysagooffMaiden’srock。Theyarewaitingforhimnow。Thetruth，spititout。Iwouldwantto。Iwouldtry。Iamnotastrongswimmer。Watercoldsoft。WhenIputmyfaceintoitinthebasinatClongowes。Can’tsee！Who’sbehindme？Outquickly，quickly！Doyouseethetideflowingquicklyinonallsides，sheetingthelowsofsandsquickly，shellcocoacoloured？IfIhadlandundermyfeetIwanthislifestilltobehis，minetobemine。Adrowningman。Hishumaneyesscreamtomeoutofhorrorofhisdeath。I……Withhimtogetherdown……Icouldnotsaveher。Waters:bitterdeath:lost。
Awomanandaman。Iseeherskirties。Pinnedup，Ibet。
Theirdogambledaboutabankofdwindlingsand，trotting，sniffingonallsides。Lookingforsomethinglostinapastlife。Suddenlyhemadeofflikeaboundinghare，earsflungback，chasingtheshadowofalowskimminggull。Theman’sshriekedwhistlestruckhislimpears。Heturned，boundedback，camenearer，trottedontwinklingshanks。Onafieldtenneyabuck，trippant，proper，unattired。Atthelacefringeofthetidehehaltedwithstiffforehoofs，seawardpointedears。Hissnoutliftedbarkedatthewavenoise，herdsofseamorse。Theyserpentedtowardshisfeet，curling，unfurlingmanycrests，everyninth，breaking，plashing，fromfar，fromfartherout，wavesandwaves。
Cocklepickers。Theywadedalittlewayinthewaterand，stooping，sousedtheirbags，and，liftingthemagain，wadedout。Thedogyelpedrunningtothem，rearedupandpawedthem，droppingonallfours，againrearedupatthemwithmutebearishfawning。Unheededhekeptbythemastheycametowardsthedriersand，aragofwolf’stongueredpantingfromhisjaws。Hisspeckledbodyambledaheadofthemandthenlopedoffatacalf’sgallop。Thecarcasslayonhispath。Hestopped，sniffed，stalkedroundit，brother，nosingcloser，wentroundit，sniffingrapidlylikeadogalloverthedeaddog’sbedraggledfell。Dogskull，dogsniff，eyesontheground，movestoonegreatgoal。Ah，poordogsbody。Hereliespoordogsbody’sbody——
Tatters！Outofthat，youmongrel。
Thecrybroughthimskulkingbacktohismasterandabluntbootlesskicksenthimunscathedacrossaspitofsand，crouchedinflight。Heslunkbackinacurve。Doesn’tseeme。Alongbytheedgeofthemolehelolloped，dawdled，smeltarockandfromunderacockedhindlegpissedagainstit。Hetrottedforwardand，liftinghishindleg，pissedquickshortatanunsmeltrock。Thesimplepleasuresofthepoor。Hishindpawsthenscatteredsand:thenhisforepawsdabbledanddelved。Somethingheburiedthere，hisgrandmother。Herootedinthesand，dabblingdelvingandstoppedtolistentotheair，scrapedupthesandagainwithafuryofhisclaws，soonceasing，apard，apanther，gotinspouse-breach，vulturingthedead。
Afterhewokemeuplastnightsamedreamorwasit？Wait。Openhallway。Streetofharlots。Remember。HarounalRaschid。Iamalmostingit。Thatmanledme，spoke。Iwasnotafraid。Themelonhehadheheldagainstmyface。Smiled:creamfruitsmell。Thatwastherule，said。In。Come。Redcarpetspread。Youwillseewho。
Shoulderingtheirbagstheytrudged，theredEgyptians。Hisbluedfeetoutofturneduptrousersslappedtheclammysand，adullbrickmufflerstranglinghisunshavenneck。Withwomanstepsshefollowed:theruffianandhisstrollingmort。Spoilsslungatherback。Loosesandandshellgritcrustedherbarefeet。Aboutherwindrawfaceherhairtrailed。Behindherlordhishelpmate，bingawast，toRomeville。Whennighthidesherbody’sflawscallingunderherbrownshawlfromanarchwaywheredogshavemired。HerfancymanistreatingtwoRoyalDublinsinO’Loughlin’sofBlackpitts。Bussher，wapinrogue’srumlingo，for，O，mydimberwappingdell。Ashefiend’swhitenessunderherrancidrags。Fumbally’slanethatnight:thetanyardsmells。
Whitethyfambles，redthygan
Andthyquarronsdaintyis。
Couchahogsheadwithmethen。
Inthedarkmansclipandkiss。
MorosedelectationAquinastunbellycallsthis，frateporcospino。UnfallenAdamrodeandnotrutted。Callawaylethim:thyquarronsdaintyis。Languagenowhitworsethanhis。Monkwords，marybeadsjabberontheirgirdles:roguewords，toughnuggetspatterintheirpockets。
Passingnow。
Aside-eyeatmyHamlethat。IfIweresuddenlynakedhereasIsitIamnot。Acrossthesandsofalltheworld，followedbythesun’sflamingsword，tothewest，trekkingtoeveninglands。Shetrudges，schlepps，trains，drags，trascinesherload。Atidewestering，moondrawn，inherwake。Tides，myriadislanded，withinher，bloodnotmine，oinopaponton，awinedarksea。Beholdthehandmaidofthemoon。Insleepthewetsigncallsherhour，bidsherrise。Bridebed，childbed，bedofdeath，ghostcandled。Omniscaroadteveniet。Hecomes，palevampire，throughstormhiseyes，hisbatsailsbloodyingthesea，mouthtohermouth’skiss。
Here。Putapininthatchap，willyou？Mytablets。Mouthtoherkiss。No。Mustbetwoofem。Glue’emwell。Mouthtohermouth’skiss。
Hislipslippedandmouthedfleshlesslipsofair:mouthtoherwomb。Oomb，allwombingtomb。Hismouthmouldedissuingbreath，unspeeched:ooeeehah:roarofcataracticplanets，globed，blazing，roaringwayawayawayawayawayaway。Paper。Thebanknotes，blastthem。OldDeasy’sletter。Here。Thankingyouforhospitalityteartheblankendoff。Turninghisbacktothesunhebentoverfartoatableofrockandscribbledwords。That’stwiceIforgottotakeslipsfromthelibrarycounter。
Hisshadowlayovertherocksashebent，ending。Whynotendlesstillthefartheststar？Darklytheyaretherebehindthislight，darknessshininginthebrightness，deltaofCassiopeia，worlds。Mesitstherewithhisaugur’srodofash，inborrowedsandals，bydaybesidealividsea，unbeheld，invioletnightwalkingbeneathareignofuncouthstars。Ithrowthisendedshadowfromme，manshapeineluctable，callitback。Endless，woulditbemine，formofmyform？Whowatchesmehere？Whoeveranywherewillreadthesewrittenwords？Signsonawhitefield。Somewheretosomeoneinyourflutiestvoice。ThegoodbishopofCloynetooktheveilofthetempleoutofhisshovelhat:veilofspacewithcolouredemblemshatchedonitsfield。Holdhard。Colouredonaflat:yes，that’sright。FlatIsee，thenthinkdistance，near，far，flatIsee，east，back。Ah，seenow。Fallsbacksuddenly，frozeninstereoscope。Clickdoesthetrick。Youfindmywordsdark。Darknessisinoursouls，doyounotthink？Flutier。Oursouls，shame-woundedbyoursins，clingtousyetmore，awomantoherloverclinging，themorethemore。
Shetrustsme，herhandgentle，thelonglashedeyes。NowwherethebluehellamIbringingherbeyondtheveil？Intotheineluctablemodalityoftheineluctablevisuality。She，she，she。Whatshe？ThevirginatHodgesFiggis’windowonMondaylookinginforoneofthealphabetbooksyouweregoingtowrite。Keenglanceyougaveher。Wristthroughthebraidedjessofhersunshade。ShelivesinLeesonpark，withagriefandkickshaws，aladyofletters。Talkthattosomeoneelse，Stevie:apickmeup。BetshewearsthosecurseofGodstayssuspendersandyellowstockings，darnedwithlumpywool。Talkaboutappledumplings，piuttosto。Whereareyourwits？
Touchme。Softeyes。Softsoftsofthand。Iamlonelyhere。O，touchmesoon，now。Whatisthatwordknowntoallmen？Iamquietherealone。Sadtoo。Touch，touchme。
Helaybackatfullstretchoverthesharprocks，crammingthescribblednoteandpencilintoapocket，hishattilteddownonhiseyes。ThatisKevinEgan’smovementImadenoddingforhisnap，sabbathsleep。EtviditDeus。Eterantvaldebona。Alo！Bonjour，welcomeastheflowersinMay。Underitsleafhewatchedthroughpeacocktwitteringlashesthesouthingsun。Iamcaughtinthisburningscene。Pan’shour，thefaunalnoon。Amonggumheavyserpentplants，milkoozingfruits，whereonthetawnywatersleavesliewide。Painisfar。
Andnomoreturnasideandbrood。
Hisgazebroodedonhisbroadtoedboots，abuck’scastoffsnebeneinander:Hecountedthecreasesofruckedleatherwhereinanother’sfoothadnestedwarm。Thefootthatbeatthegroundintripudium，footIdislove。ButyouweredelightedwhenEstherOsvalt’sshoewentonyou:girlIknewinParis。Tiens，quelpetitpied！Staunchfriend，abrothersoul:Wilde’slovethatdarenotspeakitsname。Henowwillleaveme。Andtheblame？AsIam。AsIam。Allornotatall。
InlonglassoesfromtheCocklakethewaterflowedfull，coveringgreengoldenlylagoonsofsand，rising，flowing。Myashplantwillfloataway。Ishallwait。No，theywillpasson，passingchafingagainstthelowrocks，swirling，passing。Bettergetthisjoboverquick。Listen:afourwordedwavespeech:seesoo，hrss，rsseeiss，ooos。Vehementbreathofwatersamidseasnakes，rearinghorses，rocks。Incupsofrocksitslops:flop，slop，slap:boundedinbarrels。And，spent，itsspeechceases。Itflowspurling，widelyflowing，floatingfoampool，flowerunfurling。
Undertheupswellingtidehesawthewrithingweedsliftlanguidlyandswayreluctantarms，hisinguptheirpetticoats，inwhisperingwaterswayingandupturningcoysilverfronds。Daybyday:nightbynight:lifted，floodedandletfall。Lord，theyareweary:and，whisperedto，theysigh。SaintAmbroseheardit，sighofleavesandwaves，waiting，awaitingthefullnessoftheirtimes，diebusacnoctibusiniuriaspatiensingemiscit。Tonoendgathered:vainlythenreleased，forthflowing，wendingback:loomofthemoon。Wearytooinsightoflovers，lasciviousmen，anakedwomanshininginhercourts，shedrawsatoilofwaters。
Fivefathomsoutthere。Fullfathomfivethyfatherlies。Atonehesaid。Founddrowned。HighwateratDublinbar。Drivingbeforeitaloosedriftofrubble，fanshoalsoffishes，sillyshells。Acorpserisingsaltwhitefromtheundertow，bobbinglandward，apaceapaceaporpoise。Thereheis。Hookitquick。Sunkthoughhebebeneaththewateryfloor。Wehavehim。Easynow。
Bagofcorpsegassoppinginfoulbrine。Aquiverofminnows，fatofaspongytitbit，flashthroughtheslitsofhisbuttonedtrouserfly。Godbecomesmanbecomesfishbecomesbarnaclegoosebecomesfeatherbedmountain。DeadbreathsIlivingbreathe，treaddeaddust，devouraurinousoffalfromalldead。Hauledstarkoverthegunwalehebreathesupwardthestenchofhisgreengrave，hisleprousnoseholesnoringtothesun。
Aseachangethis，browneyessaltblue。Seadeath，mildestofalldeathsknowntoman。OldFatherOcean。PrixdeParis:bewareofimitations。Justyougiveitafairtrial。Weenjoyedourselvesimmensely。
Come。Ithirst。Cloudingover。Noblackcloudsanywhere，arethere？Thunderstorm。Allbrighthefalls，proudlightningoftheintellect，Lucifer，dico，quinescitoccasum。No。Mycocklehatandstaffandhismysandalshoon。Where？Toeveninglands。Eveningwillfinditself。
Hetookthehiltofhisashplant，lungingwithitsoftly，dallyingstill。Yes，eveningwillfinditselfinme，withoutme。Alldaysmaketheirend。Bythewaynextwhenisit？Tuesdaywillbethelongestday。Ofallthegladnewyear，mother，therumtumtiddledytum。LawnTennyson，gentlemanpoet。Già。Fortheoldhagwiththeyellowteeth。AndMonsieurDrumont，gentlemanjournalist。Già。Myteethareverybad。Why，Iwonder？Feel。Thatoneisgoingtoo。Shells。OughtIgotoadentist，Iwonder，withthatmoney？Thatone。ToothlessKinch，thesuperman。Whyisthat，Iwonder，ordoesitmeansomethingperhaps？
Myhandkerchief。Hethrewit。Iremember。DidInottakeitup？
Hishandgropedvainlyinhispockets。No，Ididn’t。Betterbuyone。
Helaidthedrysnotpickedfromhisnostrilonaledgeofrock，carefully。Fortherestletlookwhowill。
Behind。Perhapsthereissomeone。
Heturnedhisfaceoverashoulder，rereregardant。Movingthroughtheairhighsparsofathreemaster，hersailsbraileduponthecrosstrees，homing，upstream，silentlymoving，asilentship。