Hemurmuredthenwithblondedelightforall:
Betweentheacresoftherye
Theseprettycountryfolkwouldlie。
Paris:thewellpleasedpleaser。
Atallfigureinbeardedhomespunrosefromshadowandunveileditscooperativewatch——
IamafraidIamdueattheHomestead。
Whitheraway？Exploitableground——
Areyougoing，JohnEglinton’sactiveeyebrowsasked。ShallweseeyouatMoore’stonight？Piperiscoming——
Piper！MrBestpiped。IsPiperback？
PeterPiperpeckedapeckofpickofpeckofpickledpepper——
Idon’tknowifIcan。Thursday。Wehaveourmeeting。IfIcangetawayintime。
YogibogeyboxinDawsonchambers。IsisUnveiled。TheirPalibookwetriedtopawn。CrossleggedunderanumbrelumbershoothethronesanAzteclogos，functioningonastrallevels，theiroversoul，mahamahatma。Thefaithfulhermetistsawaitthelight，ripeforchelaship，ringroundabouthim。LouisH。Victory。T。CaulfieldIrwin。Lotusladiestendthemi’theeyes，theirpinealglandsaglow。Filledwithhisgodhethrones，Buddhunderplantain。Gulferofsouls，engulfer。Hesouls，shesouls，shoalsofsouls。Engulfedwithwailingcreecries，whirled，whirling，theybewail。
Inquintessentialtriviality
Foryearsinthisfleshcaseashesouldwelt——
Theysaywearetohavealiterarysurprise，thequakerlibrariansaid，friendlyandearnest。MrRussell，rumourhasit，isgatheringtogetherasheafofouryoungerpoets’verses。Wearealllookingforwardanxiously。
Anxiouslyheglancedintheconeoflamplightwherethreefaces，lighted，shone。
Seethis。Remember。
Stephenlookeddownonawideheadlesscaubeen，hungonhisashplanthandleoverhisknee。Mycasqueandsword。Touchlightlywithtwoindexfingers。Aristotle’sexperiment。Oneortwo？Necessityisthatinvirtueofwhichitisimpossiblethatonecanbeotherwise。Argai，onehatisonehat。
Listen。
YoungColumandStarkey。GeorgeRobertsisdoingthecommercialpart。LongworthwillgiveitagoodpuffintheExpress。O，willhe？IlikedColum’sDrover。Yes，Ithinkhehasthatqueerthing，genius。Doyouthinkhehasgeniusreally？Yeatsadmiredhisline:AsinwildearthaGrecianvase。Didhe？Ihopeyou’llbeabletocometonight。MalachiMulliganiscomingtoo。MooreaskedhimtobringHaines。DidyouhearMissMitchell’sjokeaboutMooreandMartyn？ThatMooreisMartyn’swildoats？Awfullyclever，isn’tit？TheyremindoneofdonQuixoteandSanchoPanza。Ournationalepichasyettobewritten，DrSigersonsays。Mooreisthemanforit。AknightoftheruefulcountenancehereinDublin。Withasaffronkilt？O’NeillRussell？O，yes，hemustspeakthegrandoldtongue。AndhisDulcinea？JamesStephensisdoingsomecleversketches。Wearebecomingimportant，itseems。
Cordelia。Cordoglio。Lir’sloneliestdaughter。
Nookshotten。NowyourbestFrenchpolish——
Thankyouverymuch，MrRussell，Stephensaid，rising。IfyouwillbesokindastogivethelettertoMrNorman——
O，yes。Ifheconsidersitimportantitwillgoin。Wehavesomuchcorrespondence——
Iunderstand，Stephensaid。Thanks。
Goodildyou。Thepigs’paper。Bullockbefriending——
SyngehaspromisedmeanarticleforDanatoo。Arewegoingtoberead？Ifeelweare。TheGaelicleaguewantssomethinginIrish。Ihopeyouwillcomeroundtonight。BringStarkey。
Stephensatdown。
Thequakerlibrariancamefromtheleavetakers。Blushinghismasksaid:——
MrDedalus，yourviewsaremostilluminating。
Hecreakedtoandfro，tiptoingupnearerheavenbythealtitudeofachopine，and，coveredbythenoiseofoutgoing，saidlow:——
Isityourview，then，thatshewasnotfaithfultothepoet？
Alarmedfaceasksme。Whydidhecome？Courtesyoraninwardlight？——
Wherethereisareconciliation，Stephensaid，theremusthavebeenfirstasundering——
Yes。
Christfoxinleathertrews，hiding，arunawayinblightedtreeforksfromhueandcry。Knowingnovixen，walkinglonelyinthechase。Womenhewontohim，tenderpeople，awhoreofBabylon，ladiesofjustices，bullytapsters’wives。Foxandgeese。AndinNewPlaceaslackdishonouredbodythatoncewascomely，onceassweet，asfreshascinnamon，nowherleavesfalling，all，bare，frightedofthenarrowgraveandunforgiven——
Yes。Soyouthink。
Thedoorclosedbehindtheoutgoer。
Restsuddenlypossessedthediscreetvaultedcell，restofwarmandbroodingair。
Avestal’slamp。
Herehepondersthingsthatwerenot:whatCaesarwouldhavelivedtodohadhebelievedthesoothsayer:whatmighthavebeen:possibilitiesofthepossibleaspossible:thingsnotknown:whatnameAchillesborewhenhelivedamongwomen。
Coffinedthoughtsaroundme，inmummycases，embalmedinspiceofwords。Thoth，godoflibraries，abirdgod，moonycrowned。AndIheardthevoiceofthatEgyptianhighpriest。Inpaintedchambersloadedwithtilebooks。
Theyarestill。Oncequickinthebrainsofmen。Still:butanitchofdeathisinthem，totellmeinmyearamaudlintale，urgemetowreaktheirwill——
Certainly，JohnEglintonmused，ofallgreatmenheisthemostenigmatic。Weknownothingbutthathelivedandsuffered。Notevensomuch。Othersabideourquestion。Ashadowhangsoveralltherest——
ButHamletissopersonal，isn’tit？MrBestpleaded。Imean，akindofprivatepaper，don’tyouknow，ofhisprivatelife。ImeanIdon’tcareabutton，don’tyouknow，whoiskilledorwhoisguilty……
Herestedaninnocentbookontheedgeofthedesk，smilinghisdefiance。Hisprivatepapersintheoriginal。Taanbadarantir。Taimimoshagart。Putbeurlaonit，littlejohn。
QuothlittlejohnEglinton:——
IwaspreparedforparadoxesfromwhatMalachiMulligantoldusbutImayaswellwarnyouthatifyouwanttoshakemybeliefthatShakespeareisHamletyouhaveasterntaskbeforeyou。
Bearwithme。
Stephenwithstoodthebaneofmiscreanteyes，glintingsternunderwrinkledbrows。Abasilisk。Equandovedel’uomol’attosca。MesserBrunetto，Ithanktheefortheword——
Aswe，ormotherDana，weaveandunweaveourbodies，Stephensaid，fromdaytoday，theirmoleculesshuttledtoandfro，sodoestheartistweaveandunweavehisimage。AndasthemoleonmyrightbreastiswhereitwaswhenIwasborn，thoughallmybodyhasbeenwovenofnewstufftimeaftertime，sothroughtheghostoftheunquietfathertheimageoftheunlivingsonlooksforth。Intheintenseinstantofimagination，whenthemind，Shelleysays，isafadingcoal，thatwhichIwasisthatwhichIamandthatwhichinpossibilityImaycometobe。Sointhefuture，thesisterofthepast，ImayseemyselfasIsitherenowbutbyreflectionfromthatwhichthenIshallbe。
DrummondofHawthorndenhelpedyouatthatstile——
Yes，MrBestsaidyoungly，IfeelHamletquiteyoung。ThebitternessmightbefromthefatherbutthepassageswithOpheliaaresurelyfromtheson。
Hasthewrongsowbythelug。Heisinmyfather。Iaminhisson——
Thatmoleisthelasttogo，Stephensaid，laughing。
JohnEglintonmadeanothingpleasingmow——
Ifthatwerethebirthmarkofgenius，hesaid，geniuswouldbeadruginthemarket。TheplaysofShakespeare’slateryearswhichRenanadmiredsomuchbreatheanotherspirit——
Thespiritofreconciliation，thequakerlibrarianbreathed——
Therecanbenoreconciliation，Stephensaid，iftherehasnotbeenasundering。
Saidthat——
IfyouwanttoknowwhataretheeventswhichcasttheirshadowoverthehelloftimeofKingLear，Othello，Hamlet，TroilusandCressida，looktoseewhenandhowtheshadowlifts。Whatsoftenstheheartofaman，Shipwreckedinstormsdire，Tried，likeanotherUlysses，Pericles，princeofTyre？
Head，redconecapped，buffeted，brineblinded——
Achild，agirlplacedinhisarms，Marina——
Theleaningofsophiststowardsthebypathsofapocryphaisaconstantquantity，JohnEglintondetected。Thehighroadsaredrearybuttheyleadtothetown。
GoodBacon:gonemusty。ShakespeareBacon’swildoats。Cypherjugglersgoingthehighroads。Seekersonthegreatquest。Whattowngoodmasters？Mummedinnames:A。E。，eon:Magee，JohnEglinton。Eastofthesun，westofthemoon:Tirnan-og。Bootedthetwainandstaved。
HowmanymilestoDublin？
Threescoreandten，sir。
Willwebetherebycandlelight？——
MrBrandesacceptsit，Stephensaid，asthefirstplayoftheclosingperiod——
Doeshe？WhatdoesMrSidneyLee，orMrSimonLazarus，assomeaverhisnameis，sayofit？——
Marina，Stephensaid，achildofstorm，Miranda，awonder，Perdita，thatwhichwaslost。Whatwaslostisgivenbacktohim:hisdaughter’schild。Mydearestwife，Periclessays，waslikethismaid。Willanymanlovethedaughterithehasnotlovedthemother？——
Theartofbeingagrandfather，MrBestganmurmur。L’artd’êtregrand——
Hisownimagetoamanwiththatqueerthinggeniusisthestandardofallexperience，materialandmoral。Suchanappealwilltouchhim。Theimagesofothermalesofhisbloodwillrepelhim。Hewillseeinthemgrotesqueattemptsofnaturetoforetellorrepeathimself。
Thebenignforeheadofthequakerlibrarianenkindledrosilywithhope——
IhopeMrDedaluswillworkouthistheoryfortheenlightenmentofthepublic。AndweoughttomentionanotherIrishcommentator，MrGeorgeBernardShaw。NorshouldweforgetMrFrankHarris。HisarticlesonShakespeareintheSaturdayReviewweresurelybrilliant。Oddlyenoughhetoodrawsforusanunhappyrelationwiththedarkladyofthesonnets。ThefavouredrivalisWilliamHerbert，earlofPembroke。Iownthatifthepoetmustberejected，sucharejectionwouldseemmoreinharmonywith-whatshallIsay？-ournotionsofwhatoughtnottohavebeen。
Felicitouslyheceasedandheldameekheadamongthem，auk’segg，prizeoftheirfray。
Hethousandtheesherwithgravehusbandwords。Dostlove，Miriam？Dostlovethyman？——
Thatmaybetoo，Stephensaid。ThereisasayingofGoethe’swhichMrMageelikestoquote。Bewareofwhatyouwishforinyouthbecauseyouwillgetitinmiddlelife。Whydoeshesendtoonewhoisabuonaroba，abaywhereallmenride，amaidofhonourwithascandalousgirlhood，alordlingtowooforhim？HewashimselfalordoflanguageandhadmadehimselfacoistrelgentlemanandhadwrittenRomeoandJuliet。Why？Beliefinhimselfhasbeenuntimelykilled。Hewasoverborneinacornfieldfirstryefield，Ishouldsayandhewillneverbeavictorinhisowneyesafternorplayvictoriouslythegameoflaughandliedown。Assumeddongiovannismwillnotsavehim。Nolaterundoingwillundothefirstundoing。Thetuskoftheboarhaswoundedhimthere-whereloveliesableeding。Iftheshrewisworstedyetthereremainstoherwoman’sinvisibleweapon。Thereis，Ifeelinthewords，somegoadofthefleshdrivinghimintoanewpassion，adarkershadowofthefirst，darkeningevenhisownunderstandingofhimself。Alifefateawaitshimandthetworagescommingleinawhirlpool。
Theylist。AndintheporchesoftheirearsIpour——
Thesoulhasbeenbeforestrickenmortally，apoisonpouredintheporchofasleepingear。ButthosewhoaredonetodeathinsleepcannotknowthemanneroftheirquellunlesstheirCreatorendowtheirsoulswiththatknowledgeinthelifetocome。ThepoisoningandthebeastwithtwobacksthaturgeditkingHamlet’sghostcouldnotknowofwerehenotendowedwithknowledgebyhiscreator。ThatiswhythespeechhisleanunlovelyEnglishisalwaysturnedelsewhere，backward。Ravisherandravished，whathewouldbutwouldnot，gowithhimfromLucrece’sbluecircledivoryglobestoImogen’sbreast，bare，withitsmolecinquespotted。Hegoesback，wearyofthecreationhehaspileduptohidehimfromhimself，anolddoglickinganoldsore。But，becauselossishisgain，hepassesontowardseternityinundiminishedpersonality，untaughtbythewisdomhehaswrittenorbythelawshehasrevealed。Hisbeaverisup。Heisaghost，ashadownow，thewindbyElsinore’srocksorwhatyouwill，thesea’svoice，avoiceheardonlyintheheartofhimwhoisthesubstanceofhisshadow，thesonconsubstantialwiththefather——
Amen！respondedfromthedoorway。
Hastthoufoundme，Omineenemy？
Entr’acte。
Aribaldface，sullenasadean’s，BuckMulligancameforwardsthenblitheinmotley，towardsthegreetingoftheirsmiles。Mytelegram——
Youwerespeakingofthegaseousvertebrate，ifImistakenot？heaskedofStephen。
PrimrosevestedhegreetedgailywithhisdoffedPanamaaswithabauble。
Theymakehimwelcome。WasDinverlachstwirstDunochdienen。
Broddofmockers:Photius，pseudomalachi，JohannMost。
HeWhoHimselfbegot，middlertheHolyGhost，andHimselfsenthimself，Agenbuyer，betweenHimselfandothers，Who，putuponbyHisfiends，strippedandwhipped，wasnailedlikebattobarndoor，starvedoncrosstree，WholetHimbury，stoodup，harrowedhell，faredintoheavenandtherethesenineteenhundredyearssittethontherighthandofHisOwnSelfbutyetshallcomeinthelatterdaytodoomthequickanddeadwhenallthequickshallbedeadalready。
Heliftshands。Veilsfall。O，flowers！Bellswithbellswithbellsaquiring——
Yes，indeed，thequakerlibrariansaid。Amostinstructivediscussion，MrMulligan，I’llbebound，hashistheorytoooftheplayandofShakespeare。Allsidesoflifeshouldberepresented。
Hesmiledonallsidesequally。
BuckMulliganthought，puzzled:——
Shakespeare？hesaid。Iseemtoknowthename。
Aflyingsunnysmilerayedinhisloosefeatures——
Tobesure，hesaid，rememberingbrightly。ThechapthatwriteslikeSynge。
MrBestturnedtohim:——
Hainesmissedyou，hesaid。Didyoumeethim？He’llseeyouafterattheD。B。C。He’sgonetoGill’stobuyHyde’sLovesongsofConnacht——
Icamethroughthemuseum，BuckMulligansaid。Washehere？——
Thebard’sfellowcountrymen，JohnEglintonanswered，arerathertiredperhapsofourbrillianciesoftheorising。IhearthatanactressplayedHamletforthefourhundredandeighthtimelastnightinDublin。Viningheldthattheprincewasawoman。Hasno-onemadehimouttobeanIrishman？JudgeBarton，Ibelieve，issearchingforsomeclues。HeswearsHisHighnessnotHisLordshipbysaintPatrick——
ThemostbrilliantofallisthatstoryofWilde’s，MrBestsaid，liftinghisbrilliantnotebook。ThatPortraitofMrW。H。whereheprovesthatthesonnetswerewrittenbyaWillieHughes，amanallhues——
ForWillieHughes，isitnot？thequakerlibrarianasked。
OrHughieWills。MrWilliamHimself。W。H。:whoamI？——
Imean，forWillieHughes，MrBestsaid，amendinghisglosseasily。Ofcourseit’sallparadox，don’tyouknow，Hughesandhewsandhuesthecolour，butit’ssotypicalthewayheworksitout。It’stheveryessenceofWilde，don’tyouknow。Thelighttouch。
Hisglancetouchedtheirfaceslightlyashesmiled，ablondephebe。TameessenceofWilde。
You’redarnedwitty。ThreedramsofusquebaughyoudrankwithDanDeasy’sducats。
HowmuchdidIspend？O，afewshillings。
Foraplumpofpressmen。Humourwetanddry。
Wit。Youwouldgiveyourfivewitsforyouth’sproudliveryhepranksin。Lineamentsofgratifieddesire。
Therebemanymo。Takeherforme。Inpairingtime。Jove，acoolruttimesendthem。Yea，turtledoveher。
Eve。Nakedwheatbelliedsin。Asnakecoilsher，fangin’skiss——
Doyouthinkitisonlyaparadox，thequakerlibrarianwasasking。Themockerisnevertakenseriouslywhenheismostserious。
Theytalkedseriouslyofmocker’sseriousness。
BuckMulligan’sagainheavyfaceeyedStephenawhile。Then，hisheadwagging，hecamenear，drewafoldedtelegramfromhispocket。Hismobilelipsread，smilingwithnewdelight——
Telegram！hesaid。Wonderfulinspiration！Telegram！Apapalbull！
Hesatonacorneroftheunlitdesk，readingaloudjoyfully:——
Thesentimentalistishewhowouldenjoywithoutincurringtheimmensedebtorshipforathingdone。Signed:Dedalus。Wheredidyoulaunchitfrom？Thekips？No。CollegeGreen。Haveyoudrunkthefourquid？Theauntisgoingtocallonyourunsubstantialfather。Telegram！MalachiMulligan，theShip，lowerAbbeystreet。O，youpeerlessmummer！O，youpriestifiedkinchite！
Joyfullyhethrustthemessageandenvelopeintoapocketbutkeenedinquerulousbrogue:——
It’swhatI’mtellingyou，misterhoney，it’squeerandsickwewere，Hainesandmyself，thetimehimselfbroughtitin。’Twasmurmurwedidforagalluspotionwouldrouseafriar，I’mthinking，andhelimpwithleching。AndweonehourandtwohoursandthreehoursinConnery’ssittingcivilwaitingforpintsapiece。
Hewailed！——
Andwetobethere，mavrone，andyoutobeunbeknownstsendingusyourconglomerationsthewaywetohaveourtonguesoutayardlonglikethedrouthyclericsdobefaintingforapussful。
Stephenlaughed。Quickly，warningfullyBuckMulliganbentdown:——
ThetramperSyngeislookingforyou，hesaid，tomurderyou。HeheardyoupissedonhishalldoorinGlasthule。He’soutinpampootiestomurderyou——
Me！Stephenexclaimed。Thatwasyourcontributiontoliterature。
BuckMulligangleefullybentback，laughingtothedarkeavesdroppingceiling——
Murderyou！helaughed。
HarshgargoylefacethatwarredagainstmeoverourmessofhashoflightsinrueSaint-André-des-Arts。Inwordsofwordsforwords，palabras。OisinwithPatrick。FaunmanhemetinClamartwoods，brandishingawinebottle，C’estvendredisaint！MurtheringIrish。Hisimage，wandering，hemet。Imine。Imetafooli’theforest——
MrLyster，anattendantsaidfromthedoorajar……inwhicheveryonecanfindhisown。SoMrJusticeMaddeninhisDiaryofMasterWilliamSilencehasfoundthehuntingterms……Yes？Whatisit？——
There’sagentlemanhere，sir，theattendantsaid，comingforwardandofferingacard。FromtheFreeman。HewantstoseethefilesoftheKilkennyPeopleforlastyear——
Certainly，certainly，certainly。Isthegentleman？……
Hetooktheeagercard，glanced，notsaw，laiddown，unglanced，looked，asked，creaked，asked:——
Ishe？……Othere！
Briskinagalliardhewasoffandout。Inthedaylitcorridorhetalkedwithvolublepainsofzeal，indutybound，mostfair，mostkind，mosthonestbroadbrim——
Thisgentleman？Freeman’sJournal？KilkennyPeople？Tobesure。Goodday，sir。Kilkenny……Wehavecertainly……
Apatientsilhouettewaited，listening——
Alltheleadingprovincial……NorthernWhig，CorkExaminerEnniscorthyGuardian，1903……Willyouplease？……Evans，conductthisgentleman……Ifyoujustfollowtheatten……Orpleaseallowme……Thisway……Please，sir……
Voluble，dutiful，heledthewaytoalltheprovincialpapers，abowingdarkfigurefollowinghishastyheels。
Thedoorclosed——
Thesheeny！BuckMulligancried。
Hejumpedupandsnatchedthecard——
What’shisname？IkeyMoses？Bloom。
Herattledon——
Jehovah，collectorofprepuces，isnomore。IfoundhimoverinthemuseumwhenIwenttohailthefoambornAphrodite。TheGreekmouththathasneverbeentwistedinprayer。Everydaywemustdohomagetoher。Lifeoflife，thylipsenkindle。
SuddenlyheturnedtoStephen:——
Heknowsyou。Heknowsyouroldfellow。O，Ifearme，heisGreekerthantheGreeks。HispaleGalileaneyeswereuponhermesialgroove。VenusKallipyge。O，thethunderofthoseloins！Thegodpursuingthemaidenhid。
Wewanttohearmore，JohnEglintondecidedwithMrBest’sapproval。WebegintobeinterestedinMrsS。Tillnowwehadthoughtofher，ifatall，asapatientGriselda，aPenelopestayathome——
Antisthenes，pupilofGorgias，Stephensaid，tookthepalmofbeautyfromKyriosMenelaus’brooddam，ArgiveHelen，thewoodenmareofTroyinwhomascoreofheroesslept，andhandedittopoorPenelope。TwentyyearshelivedinLondonand，duringpartofthattime，hedrewasalaryequaltothatofthelordchancellorofIreland。Hislifewasrich。Hisart，morethantheartoffeudalism，asWaltWhitmancalledit，istheartofsurfeit。Hotherringpies，greenmugsofsack，honeysauces，sugarofroses，marchpane，gooseberriedpigeons，ringocandies。SirWalterRaleigh，whentheyarrestedhim，hadhalfamillionfrancsonhisbackincludingapairoffancystays。ThegombeenwomanElizaTudorhadunderlinenenoughtoviewithherofSheba。Twentyyearshedalliedtherebetweenconjugalloveanditschastedelightsandscortatoryloveanditsfoulpleasures。YouknowManningham’sstoryoftheburgher’swifewhobadeDickBurbagetoherbedaftershehadseenhiminRichardIIIandhowShakespeare，overhearing，withoutmoreadoaboutnothing，tookthecowbythehornsand，whenBurbagecameknockingatthegate，answeredfromthecapon’sblankets:WilliamtheconquerorcamebeforeRichardIII。Andthegaylakin，MistressFitten，mountandcryO，andhisdaintybirdsnies，LadyPenelopeRich，acleanqualitywomanissuitedforaplayer，andthepunksofthebankside，apennyatime。
Cours-la-Reine。Encorevingtsous。Nousferonsdepetitescochonneries。Minette？Tuveux？——
Theheightoffinesociety。AndsirWilliamDavenantofOxford’smotherwithhercupofcanaryforeverycockcanary。
BuckMulligan，hispiouseyesupturned，prayed:——
BlessedMargaretMaryAnycock！——
AndHarryofsixwives’daughterandotherladyfriendsfromneighbourseats，asLawnTennyson，gentlemanpoet，sings。ButallthosetwentyyearswhatdoyousupposepoorPenelopeinStratfordwasdoingbehindthediamondpanes？
Doanddo。Thingdone。InaroseryofFetterLaneofGerard，herbalist，hewalks，greyedauburn。Anazuredharebelllikeherveins。LidsofJuno’seyes，violets。Hewalks。Onelifeisall。Onebody。Do。Butdo。Afar，inareekoflustandsqualor，handsarelaidonwhiteness。
BuckMulliganrappedJohnEglinton’sdesksharply——
Whomdoyoususpect？hechallenged——
Saythatheisthespurnedloverinthesonnets。Oncespurnedtwicespurned。Butthecourtwantonspurnedhimforalord，hisdearmylove。
Lovethatdarenotspeakitsname——
AsanEnglishman，youmean，JohnsturdyEglintonputin，helovedalord。
Oldwallwheresuddenlizardsflash。AtCharentonIwatchedthem——
Itseemsso，Stephensaid，whenhewantstodoforhim，andforallotherandsingularunearedwombs，theholyofficeanostlerdoesforthestallion。Maybe，likeSocrates，hehadamidwifetomotherashehadashrewtowife。Butshe，thegiglotwanton，didnotbreakabedvow。Twodeedsarerankinthatghost’smind:abrokenvowandthedullbrainedyokelonwhomherfavourhasdeclined，deceasedhusband’sbrother。SweetAnnItakeit，washotintheblood。Onceawooertwiceawooer。
Stephenturnedboldlyinhischair——
Theburdenofproofiswithyounotwithme，hesaid，frowning。IfyoudenythatinthefifthsceneofHamlethehasbrandedherwithinfamy，tellmewhythereisnomentionofherduringthethirtyfouryearsbetweenthedayshemarriedhimandthedaysheburiedhim。Allthosewomensawtheirmendownandunder:Mary，hergoodmanJohn，Ann，herpoor
dearWillun，whenhewentanddiedonher，ragingthathewasthefirsttogo，Joan，herfourbrothers，Judith，herhusbandandallhersons，Susan，herhusbandtoo，whileSusan’sdaughter，Elizabeth，tousegranddaddy’swords，wedhersecond，havingkilledherfirst。
Oyes，mentionthereis。IntheyearswhenhewaslivingrichlyinroyalLondontopayadebtshehadtoborrowfortyshillingsfromherfather’sshepherd。Explainyouthen。Explaintheswansongtoowhereinhehascommendedhertoposterity。
Hefacedtheirsilence。
TowhomthusEglinton:
Youmeanthewill。
Thathasbeenexplained，Ibelieve，byjurists。
Shewasentitledtoherwidow’sdower
Atcommonlaw。Hislegalknowledgewasgreat
Ourjudgestellus。
HimSatanfleers，
Mocker:
Andthereforeheleftouthername
Fromthefirstdraftbuthedidnotleaveout
Thepresentsforhisgranddaughter，forhisdaughters，
Forhissister，forhisoldcroniesinStratford
AndinLondon。Andthereforewhenhewasurged，
AsIbelieve，tonameher
HeleftherhisSecondbest
Bed。
Punkt
Leftherhis
Secondbest
Bestabed
Secabest
Leftabed。
Woa！——
Prettycountryfolkhadfewchattelsthen，JohnEglintonobserved，astheyhavestillifourpeasantplaysaretruetotype——
Hewasarichcountrygentleman，Stephensaid，withacoatofarmsandlandedestateatStratfordandahouseinIrelandyard，acapitalistshareholder，abillpromoter，atithefarmer。Whydidhenotleaveherhisbestbedifhewishedhertosnoreawaytherestofhernightsinpeace？——
Itisclearthatthereweretwobeds，abestandasecondbest，MrSecondbestBestsaidfinely——
Separatioamensaetathalamo，betteredBuckMulliganandwassmiledon——
Antiquitymentionsfamousbeds，SecondEglintonpuckered，bedsmiling。Letmethink——
AntiquitymentionsthatStagyriteschoolurchinandbaldheathensage，Stephensaid，whowhendyinginexilefreesandendowshisslaves，paystributetohiselders，willstobelaidinearthnearthebonesofhisdeadwifeandbidshisfriendsbekindtoanoldmistressdon’tforgetNellGwynnHerpyllisandletherliveinhisvilla——
Doyoumeanhediedso？MrBestaskedwithslightconcern。Imean——
Hedieddeaddrunk，BuckMulligancapped。Aquartofaleisadishforaking。O，ImusttellyouwhatDowdensaid！——
What？askedBesteglinton。
WilliamShakespeareandcompany，limited。Thepeople’sWilliam。Fortermsapply:E。Dowden，Highfieldhouse——
Lovely！BuckMulligansuspiredamorously。Iaskedhimwhathethoughtofthechargeofpederastybroughtagainstthebard。Heliftedhishandsandsaid:Allwecansayisthatliferanveryhighinthosedays。Lovely！
Catamite——
Thesenseofbeautyleadsusastray，saidbeautifulinsadnessBesttouglingEglinton。
SteadfastJohnrepliedsevere:——
Thedoctorcantelluswhatthosewordsmean。Youcannoteatyourcakeandhaveit。
Sayestthouso？Willtheywrestfromus，frommethepalmofbeauty？——
Andthesenseofproperty，Stephensaid。HedrewShylockoutofhisownlongpocket。Thesonofamaltjobberandmoneylenderhewashimselfacornjobberandmoneylenderwithtentodsofcornhoardedinthefamineriots。HisborrowersarenodoubtthosediversofworshipmentionedbyChettleFalstaffwhoreportedhisuprightnessofdealing。Hesuedafellowplayerforthepriceofafewbagsofmaltandexactedhispoundoffleshininterestforeverymoneylent。HowelsecouldAubrey’sostlerandcallboygetrichquick？Alleventsbroughtgristtohismill。Shylockchimeswiththejewbaitingthatfollowedthehangingandquarteringofthequeen’sleechLopez，hisjew’sheartbeingpluckedforthwhilethesheenywasyetalive:HamletandMacbethwiththecomingtothethroneofaScotchphilosophasterwithaturnforwitchroasting。ThelostarmadaishisjeerinLove’sLabourLost。Hispageants，thehistories，sailfullbelliedonatideofMafekingenthusiasm。Warwickshirejesuitsaretriedandwehaveaporter’stheoryofequivocation。TheSeaVenturecomeshomefromBermudasandtheplayRenanadmirediswrittenwithPatsyCaliban，ourAmericancousin。ThesugaredsonnetsfollowSidney’s。AsforfayElizabeth，otherwisecarrotyBess，thegrossvirginwhoinspiredTheMerryWivesofWindsor，letsomemeinherrfromAlmanygropehislifelongfordeephidmeaningsinthedepthofthebuckbasket。
Ithinkyou’regettingonverynicely。Justmixupamixtureoftheolologicophilolological。Mingo，minxi，mictum，mingere——
Provethathewasajew，JohnEglintondared，expectantly。YourdeanofstudiesholdshewasaholyRoman。
Sufflaminandussum——
HewasmadeinGermany，Stephenreplied，asthechampionFrenchpolisherofItalianscandals——
Amyriadmindedman，MrBestreminded。Coleridgecalledhimmyriadminded。
Amplius。Insocietatehumanahocestmaximenecessariumutsitamicitiaintermultos——
SaintThomas，Stephenbegan——
Orapronobis，MonkMulligangroaned，sinkingtoachair。
Therehekeenedawailingrune——
Poguemahone！Asushlamachree！It’sdestroyedwearefromthisday！It’sdestroyedwearesurely！
Allsmiledtheirsmiles——
SaintThomas，Stephen，smiling，said，whosegorbelliedworksIenjoyreadingintheoriginal，writingofincestfromastandpointdifferentfromthatofthenewVienneseschoolMrMageespokeof，likensitinhiswiseandcuriouswaytoanavariceoftheemotions。Hemeansthatthelovesogiventoonenearinbloodiscovetouslywithheldfromsomestrangerwho，itmaybe，hungersforit。Jews，whomchristianstaxwithavarice，areofallracesthemostgiventointer-marriage。Accusationsaremadeinanger。Thechristianlawswhichbuiltupthehoardsofthejewsforwhom，asforthelollards，stormwasshelterboundtheiraffectionstoowithhoopsofsteel。WhetherthesebesinsorvirtuesoldNobodaddywilltellusatdoomsdayleet。Butamanwhoholdssotightlytowhathecallshisrightsoverwhathecallshisdebtswillholdtightlyalsotowhathecallshisrightsoverherwhomhecallshiswife。Nosirsmileneighbourshallcovethisoxorhiswifeorhismanservantorhismaidservantorhisjackass——
Orhisjennyass，BuckMulliganantiphoned——
GentleWillisbeingroughlyhandled，gentleMrBestsaidgently——
WhichWill？gaggedsweetlyBuckMulligan。Wearegettingmixed——
Thewilltolive，JohnEglintonphilosophised，forpoorAnn，Will’swidow，isthewilltodie——
Requiescat！Stephenprayed。
Whatofallthewilltodo？
Ithasvanishedlongago——
Shelieslaidoutinstarkstiffnessinthatsecondbestbed，themobledqueen，eventhoughyouprovethatabedinthosedayswasasrareasamotorcarisnowandthatitscarvingswerethewonderofsevenparishes。InoldageshetakesupwithgospellersonestayedatNewPlaceanddrankaquartofsackthetownpaidforbutinwhichbedhesleptitskillsnottoaskandheardshehadasoul。ShereadorhadreadtoherhischapbookspreferringthemtotheMerryWivesand，loosinghernightlywatersonthejordan，shethoughtoverHooksandEyesforBelievers’BreechesandThemostSpiritualSnuffboxtoMaketheMostDevoutSoulsSneeze。Venushadtwistedherlipsinprayer。Agenbiteofinwit:remorseofconscience。Itisanageofexhaustedwhoredomgropingforitsgod——
Historyshowsthattobetrue，inquitEglintonusChronolologos。Theagessucceedoneanother。Butwehaveitonhighauthoritythataman’sworstenemiesshallbethoseofhisownhouseandfamily。IfeelthatRussellisright。Whatdowecareforhiswifeandfather？Ishouldsaythatonlyfamilypoetshavefamilylives。Falstaffwasnotafamilyman。Ifeelthatthefatknightishissupremecreation。
Lean，helayback。Shy，denythykindred，theuncoguid。Shysuppingwiththegodless，hesneaksthecup。AsireinUltonianAntrimbadeithim。Visitshimhereonquarterdays。MrMagee，sir，there’sagentlemantoseeyou。Me？Sayshe’syourfather，sir。GivememyWordsworth。EnterMageeMorMatthew，aruggedroughrugheadedkern，instrosserswithabuttonedcodpiece，hisnetherstocksbemiredwithclauberoftenforests，awandofwildinginhishand。
Yourown？Heknowsyouroldfellow。Thewidower。
HurryingtohersqualiddeathlairfromgayParisonthequaysideItouchedhishand。Thevoice，newwarmth，speaking。DrBobKennyisattendingher。Theeyesthatwishmewell。Butdonotknowme——
Afather，Stephensaid，battlingagainsthopelessness，isanecessaryevil。Hewrotetheplayinthemonthsthatfollowedhisfather’sdeath。Ifyouholdthathe，agreyingmanwithtwomarriageabledaughters，withthirtyfiveyearsoflife，nelmezzodelcammindinostravita，withfiftyofexperience，isthebeardlessundergraduatefromWittenbergthenyoumustholdthathisseventyyearoldmotheristhelustfulqueen。No。ThecorpseofJohnShakespearedoesnotwalkthenight。Fromhourtohouritrotsandrots。Herests，disarmedoffatherhood，havingdevisedthatmysticalestateuponhisson。Boccaccio’sCalandrinowasthefirstandlastmanwhofelthimselfwithchild。Fatherhood，inthesenseofconsciousbegetting，isunknowntoman。Itisamysticalestate，anapostolicsuccession，fromonlybegettertoonlybegotten。OnthatmysteryandnotonthemadonnawhichthecunningItalianintellectflungtothemobofEuropethechurchisfoundedandfoundedirremovablybecausefounded，liketheworld，macro-andmicrocosm，uponthevoid。Uponincertitude，uponunlikelihood。Amormatris，subjectiveandobjectivegenitive，maybetheonlytruethinginlife。Paternitymaybealegalfiction。Whoisthefatherofanysonthatanysonshouldlovehimorheanyson？
Whatthehellareyoudrivingat？
Iknow。Shutup。Blastyou！Ihavereasons。
Amplius。Adhuc。Iterum。Postea。
Areyoucondemnedtodothis？——
Theyaresunderedbyabodilyshamesosteadfastthatthecriminalannalsoftheworld，stainedwithallotherincestsandbestialities，hardlyrecorditsbreach。Sonswithmothers，sireswithdaughters，lesbicsisters，lovesthatdarenotspeaktheirname，nephewswithgrandmothers，jailbirdswithkeyholes，queenswithprizebulls。Thesununbornmarsbeauty:born，hebringspain，dividesaffection，increasescare。Heisamale:hisgrowthishisfather’sdecline，hisyouthhisfather’senvy，hisfriendhisfather’senemy。
InrueMonsieur-le-PrinceIthoughtit——
Whatlinkstheminnature？Aninstantofblindrut。AmIfather？IfIwere？
Shrunkenuncertainhand——
Sabellius，theAfrican，subtlestheresiarchofallthebeastsofthefield，heldthattheFatherwasHimselfHisOwnSon。ThebulldogofAquin，withwhomnowordshallbeimpossible，refuteshim。Well:ifthefatherwhohasnotasonbenotafathercanthesonwhohasnotafatherbeason？WhenRutlandbaconsouthamptonshakespeareoranotherpoetofthesamenameinthecomedyoferrorswroteHamlethewasnotthefatherofhisownsonmerelybut，beingnomoreason，hewasandfelthimselfthefatherofallhisrace，thefatherofhisowngrandfather，thefatherofhisunborngrandsonwho，bythesametoken，neverwasbornfornature，asMrMageeunderstandsher，abhorsperfection。
Eglintoneyes，quickwithpleasure，lookedupshybrightly。Gladlyglancing，amerrypuritan，throughthetwistedeglantine。
Flatter。Rarely。ButFlatter——
Himselfhisownfather，Sonmulligantoldhimself。Wait。Iambigwithchild。Ihaveanunbornchildinmybrain。PallasAthena！Aplay！Theplay’sthething！Letmeparturiate！
Heclaspedhispaunchbrowwithbothbirthaidinghands——
Asforhisfamily，Stephensaid，hismother’snamelivesintheforestofArden。HerdeathbroughtfromhimthescenewithVolumniainCoriolanus。Hisboyson’sdeathisthedeathsceneofyoungArthurinKingJohn。Hamlet，theblackprince，isHamnetShakespeare。WhothegirlsinTheTempest，inPericles，inWinter’sTaleareweknow。WhoCleopatra，fleshpotofEgypt，andCressidandVenusarewemayguess。Butthereisanothermemberofhisfamilywhoisrecorded——
Theplotthickens，JohnEglintonsaid。
Thequakerlibrarian，quaking，tiptoedin，quake，hismask，quake，withhaste，quake，quack。
Doorclosed。Cell。Day。
Theylist。Three。They。
Iyouhethey。
Come，mess。
STEPHENHehadthreebrothers，Gilbert，Edmund，Richard。GilbertinhisoldagetoldsomecavaliershegotapassfornowtfromMaisterGathereronetimemasshedidandheseenhisbrudMaisterWulltheplaywriterupinLunnoninawrastlingplaywudamanon’sback。TheplayhousesausagefilledGilbert’ssoul。Heisnowhere:butanEdmundandaRichardarerecordedintheworksofsweetWilliam。
MAGEEGLINJOHNNames！What’sinaname？
BESTThatismyname，Richard，don’tyouknow。IhopeyouaregoingtosayagoodwordforRichard，don’tyouknow，formysake。
Laughter。
BUCKMULLIGANPiano，diminuendo。
ThenoutspokemedicalDick
TohiscomrademedicalDavy……
STEPHENInhistrinityofblackWills，thevillainshakebags，Iago，RichardCrookback，EdmundinKingLear，twobearthewickeduncles’names。Nay，thatlastplaywaswrittenorbeingwrittenwhilehisbrotherEdmundlaydyinginSouthwark。
BESTIhopeEdmundisgoingtocatchit。Idon’twantRichard，myname。
Laughter。
QUAKERLYSTERAtempo。Buthethatfilchesfrommemygoodname……
STEPHENStringendo。Hehashiddenhisownname，afairname，William，intheplays，asuperhere，aclownthere，asapainterofoldItalysethisfaceinadarkcornerofhiscanvas。HehasrevealeditinthesonnetswherethereisWillinoverplus。LikeJohnO’Gaunthisnameisdeartohim，asdearasthecoatofarmshetoadiedfor，onabendsableaspearorsteeledargent，honorificabilitudinitatibus，dearerthanhisgloryofgreatestshakesceneinthecountry。What’sinaname？Thatiswhatweaskourselvesinchildhoodwhenwewritethenamethatwearetoldisours。Astar，adaystar，afiredrakeroseathisbirth。Itshonebydayintheheavensalone，brighterthanVenusinthenight，andbynightitshoneoverdeltainCassiopeia，therecumbentconstellationwhichisthesignatureofhisinitialamongthestars。Hiseyeswatchedit，lowlyingonthehorizon，eastwardofthebear，ashewalkedbytheslumberoussummerfieldsatmidnight，returningfromShotteryandfromherarms。
Bothsatisfied。Itoo。
Don’ttellthemhewasnineyearsoldwhenitwasquenched。
Andfromherarms。
Waittobewooedandwon。Ay，meacock。Whowillwooyou？
Readtheskies。Autontimerumenos。BonusStephanoumenos。Where’syourconfiguration？Stephen，Stephen，cutthebreadeven。S。D。:suadonna。Già:dilui。Gelindorisolvedinonamar。S。D——
Whatisthat，MrDedalus？thequakerlibrarianasked。Wasitacelestialphenomenon？——
Astarbynight，Stephensaid，apillarofthecloudbyday。
Whatmore’stospeak？
Stephenlookedonhishat，hisstick，hisboots。
Stephanos，mycrown。Mysword。Hisbootsarespoilingtheshapeofmyfeet。Buyapair。Holesinmysocks。Handkerchieftoo——
Youmakegooduseofthename，JohnEglintonallowed。Yourownnameisstrangeenough。Isupposeitexplainsyourfantasticalhumour。
Me，MageeandMulligan。
Fabulousartificer，thehawklikeman。Youflew。Whereto？Newhaven-Dieppe，steeragepassenger。Parisandback。Lapwing。Icarus。Pater，ait。Seabedabbled，fallen，weltering。Lapwingyouare。Lapwinghe。
MrBest’seagerquietlyliftedhisbooktosay:——
That’sveryinterestingbecausethatbrothermotive，don’tyouknow，wefindalsointheoldIrishmyths。Justwhatyousay。ThethreebrothersShakespeare。InGrimmtoo，don’tyouknow，thefairytales。Thethirdbrotherthatmarriesthesleepingbeautyandwinsthebestprize。
BestofBestbrothers。Good，better，best。
Thequakerlibrarianspringhaltednear——
Ishouldliketoknow，hesaid，whichbrotheryou……Iunderstandyoutosuggesttherewasmisconductwithoneofthebrothers……ButperhapsIamanticipating？
Hecaughthimselfintheact:lookedatall:refrained。
Anattendantfromthedoorwaycalled:——
MrLyster！FatherDineenwants——
O！FatherDineen！Directly。
Swiftlyrectlycreakingrectlyrectlyhewasrectlygone。
JohnEglintontouchedthefoil——
Come，hesaid。LetushearwhatyouhavetosayofRichardandEdmund。Youkeptthemforthelast，didn’tyou？——
InaskingyoutorememberthosetwonoblekinsmennuncleRichieandnuncleEdmund，Stephenanswered，IfeelIamaskingtoomuchperhaps。Abrotherisaseasilyforgottenasanumbrella。
Lapwing。
Whereisyourbrother？Apothecaries’hall。Mywhetstone。Him，thenCranly，Mulligan:nowthese。Speech，speech。Butact。Actspeech。Theymocktotryyou。Act。Beactedon。
Lapwing。
Iamtiredofmyvoice，thevoiceofEsau。Mykingdomforadrink。
On——
Youwillsaythosenameswerealreadyinthechroniclesfromwhichhetookthestuffofhisplays。Whydidhetakethemratherthanothers？Richard，awhoresoncrookback，misbegotten，makeslovetoawidowedAnnwhat’sinaname？，woosandwinsher，awhoresonmerrywidow。Richardtheconqueror，thirdbrother，cameafterWilliamtheconquered。Theotherfouractsofthatplayhanglimplyfromthatfirst。OfallhiskingsRichardistheonlykingunshieldedbyShakespeare’sreverence，theangeloftheworld。WhyistheunderplotofKingLearinwhichEdmundfiguresliftedoutofSidney’sArcadiaandspatchcockedontoaCelticlegendolderthanhistory？——
ThatwasWill’sway，JohnEglintondefended。WeshouldnotnowcombineaNorsesagawithanexcerptfromanovelbyGeorgeMeredith。Quevoulez-vous？Moorewouldsay。HeputsBohemiaontheseacoastandmakesUlyssesquoteAristotle——
Why？Stephenansweredhimself。BecausethethemeofthefalseortheusurpingortheadulterousbrotherorallthreeinoneistoShakespeare，whatthepoorisnot，alwayswithhim。Thenoteofbanishment，banishmentfromtheheart，banishmentfromhome，soundsuninterruptedlyfromTheTwoGentlemenofVeronaonwardtillProsperobreakshisstaff，buriesitcertainfathomsintheearthanddrownshisbook。Itdoublesitselfinthemiddleofhislife，reflectsitselfinanother，repeatsitself，protasis，epitasis，catastasis，catastrophe。Itrepeatsitselfagainwhenheisnearthegrave，whenhismarrieddaughterSusan，chipoftheoldblock，isaccusedofadultery。Butitwastheoriginalsinthatdarkenedhisunderstanding，weakenedhiswillandleftinhimastronginclinationtoevil。ThewordsarethoseofmylordsbishopsofMaynooth:anoriginalsinand，likeoriginalsin，committedbyanotherinwhosesinhetoohassinned。Itisbetweenthelinesofhislastwrittenwords，itispetrifiedonhistombstoneunderwhichherfourbonesarenottobelaid。Agehasnotwitheredit。Beautyandpeacehavenotdoneitaway。Itisininfinitevarietyeverywhereintheworldhehascreated，inMuchAdoaboutNothing，twiceinAsyoulikeIt，inTheTempest，inHamlet，inMeasureforMeasure，andinalltheotherplayswhichIhavenotread。
Helaughedtofreehismindfromhismind’sbondage。JudgeEglintonsummedup——
Thetruthismidway，heaffirmed。Heistheghostandtheprince。Heisallinall——
Heis，Stephensaid。Theboyofactoneisthematuremanofactfive。Allinall。InCymbeline，inOthelloheisbawdandcuckold。Heactsandisactedon。Loverofanidealoraperversion，likeJoséhekillstherealCarmen。HisunremittingintellectisthehornmadIagoceaselesslywillingthatthemoorinhimshallsuffer——
Cuckoo！Cuckoo！CuckMulligancluckedlewdly。Owordoffear！
Darkdomereceived，reverbed——
AndwhatacharacterisIago！undauntedJohnEglintonexclaimed。WhenallissaidDumasfilsorisitDumaspère？isright。AfterGodShakespearehascreatedmost——
Mandelightshimnotnorwomanneither，Stephensaid。Hereturnsafteralifeofabsencetothatspotofearthwherehewasborn，wherehehasalwaysbeen，manandboy，asilentwitnessandthere，hisjourneyoflifeended，heplantshismulberrytreeintheearth。Thendies。Themotionisended。GravediggersburyHamletpéreandHamletfils。Akingandaprinceatlastindeath，withincidentalmusic。And，whatthoughmurderedandbetrayed，beweptbyallfrailtenderheartsfor，DaneorDubliner，sorrowforthedeadistheonlyhusbandfromwhomtheyrefusetobedivorced。Ifyouliketheepiloguelooklongonit:prosperousProspero，thegoodmanrewarded，Lizzie，grandpa’slumpoflove，andnuncleRichie，thebadmantakenoffbypoeticjusticetotheplacewherethebadniggersgo。Strongcurtain。Hefoundintheworldwithoutasactualwhatwasinhisworldwithinaspossible。Maeterlincksays:IfSocratesleavehishousetodayhewillfindthesageseatedonhisdoorstep。IfJudasgoforthtonightitistoJudashisstepswilltend。Everylifeismanydays，dayafterday。Wewalkthroughourselves，meetingrobbers，ghosts，giants，oldmen，youngmen，wives，widows，brothers-in-love。Butalwaysmeetingourselves。TheplaywrightwhowrotethefolioofthisworldandwroteitbadlyHegaveuslightfirstandthesuntwodayslater，thelordofthingsastheyarewhomthemostRomanofcatholicscalldioboia，hangmangod，isdoubtlessallinallinallofus，ostlerandbutcher，andwouldbebawdandcuckoldtoobutthatintheeconomyofheaven，foretoldbyHamlet，therearenomoremarriages，glorifiedman，anandrogynousangel，beingawifeuntohimself——
Eureka！BuckMulligancried。Eureka！
SuddenlyhappiedhejumpedupandreachedinastrideJohnEglinton’sdesk——
MayI？hesaid。TheLordhasspokentoMalachi。
Hebegantoscribbleonaslipofpaper。
Takesomeslipsfromthecountergoingout——
Thosewhoaremarried，MrBest，douceherald，said，allsaveone，shalllive。Therestshallkeepastheyare。
Helaughed，unmarried，atEglintonJohannes，ofartsabachelor。
Unwed，unfancied，wareofwiles，theyfingerpondernightlyeachhisvariorumeditionofTheTamingoftheShrew——
Youareadelusion，saidroundlyJohnEglintontoStephen。YouhavebroughtusallthiswaytoshowusaFrenchtriangle。Doyoubelieveyourowntheory？——
No，Stephensaidpromptly——
Areyougoingtowriteit？MrBestasked。Yououghttomakeitadialogue，don’tyouknow，likethePlatonicdialoguesWildewrote。
JohnEclecticondoublysmiled——
Well，inthatcase，hesaid，Idon’tseewhyyoushouldexpectpaymentforitsinceyoudon’tbelieveityourself。DowdenbelievesthereissomemysteryinHamletbutwillsaynomore。HerrBleibtreu，themanPipermetinBerlin，whoisworkingupthatRutlandtheory，believesthatthesecretishiddenintheStratfordmonument。Heisgoingtovisitthepresentduke，Pipersays，andprovetohimthathisancestorwrotetheplays。Itwillcomeasasurprisetohisgrace。Buthebelieveshistheory。
Ibelieve，OLord，helpmyunbelief。Thatis，helpmetobelieveorhelpmetounbelieve？Whohelpstobelieve？Egomen。Whotounbelieve？Otherchap——
YouaretheonlycontributortoDanawhoasksforpiecesofsilver。ThenIdon’tknowaboutthenextnumber。FredRyanwantsspaceforanarticleoneconomics。
Fraidrine。Twopiecesofsilverhelentme。Tideyouover。Economics——
Foraguinea，Stephensaid，youcanpublishthisinterview。
BuckMulliganstoodupfromhislaughingscribbling，laughing:andthengravelysaid，honeyingmalice:——
IcalleduponthebardKinchathissummerresidenceinupperMecklenburghstreetandfoundhimdeepinthestudyoftheSummacontraGentilesinthecompanyoftwogonorrhealladies，FreshNellyandRosalie，thecoalquaywhore。
Hebrokeaway——
Come，Kinch。Come，wandering&Aelig；ngusofthebirds。
Come，Kinch，youhaveeatenallweleft。Ay，Iwillserveyouyourortsandoffals。
Stephenrose。
Lifeismanydays。Thiswillend——
Weshallseeyoutonight，JohnEglintonsaid。NotreamiMooresaysMalachiMulliganmustbethere。
BuckMulliganflauntedhisslipandpanama——
MonsieurMoore，hesaid，lectureronFrenchletterstotheyouthofIreland。I’llbethere。Come，Kinch，thebardsmustdrink。Canyouwalkstraight？
Laughinghe……
Swilltilleleven。Irishnights’entertainment。
Lubber……
Stephenfollowedalubber……
Onedayinthenationallibrarywehadadiscussion。Shakes。AfterhislubbackIfollowed。Igallhiskibe。
Stephen，greeting，thenallamort，followedalubberjester，awellkempthead，newbarbered，outofthevaultedcellintoashatteringdaylightofnothoughts。
WhathaveIlearned？Ofthem？Ofme？
WalklikeHainesnow。
Theconstantreaders’room。Inthereaders’bookCasheBoyleO’ConnorFitzmauriceTisdallFarrellparafeshispolysyllables。Item:wasHamletmad？Thequaker’spategodlilywithapriesteeninbooktalk——
Opleasedo，sir……Ishallbemostpleased……
AmusedBuckMulliganmusedinpleasantmurmurwithhimself，selfnodding:——
Apleasedbottom。
Theturnstile。
Isthat？……Blueribbonedhat……Idlywriting……What？Looked？……
Thecurvingbalustrade；smoothslidingMincius。
PuckMulligan，panamahelmeted，wentstepbystep，iambing，trolling:
JohnEglinton，myjo，John。
Whywon’tyouwedawife？
Hesputteredtotheair:
O，thechinlessChinaman！ChinChonEgLinTon。Wewentovertotheirplaybox，HainesandI，theplumbers’hall。OurplayersarecreatinganewartforEuropeliketheGreeksorM。Maeterlinck。Abbeytheatre！Ismellthepublicsweatofmonks。
Hespatblank。
Forgot:anymorethanheforgotthewhippinglousyLucygavehim。Andleftthefemmedetrenteans。Andwhynootherchildrenborn？Andhisfirstchildagirl？
Afterwit。Goback。
Thedourreclusestilltherehehashiscakeandthedouceyoungling，minionofpleasure，Phedo’stoyablefairhair。
Eh……Ijusteh……wanted……Iforgot……he——
LongworthandM’CurdyAtkinsonwerethere……
Ihardlyhearthepurlieucry
OraTommytalkasIpassoneby
Beforemythoughtsbegintorun
OnF。M’CurdyAtkinson，
Thesamethathadthewoodenleg
Andthatfilibusteringfillibeg
Thatneverdaredtoslakehisdrouth，
Mageethathadthechinlessmouth。
Beingafraidtomarryonearth
Theymasturbatedforalltheywereworth。
Jeston。Knowthyself。
Haltedbelowme，aquizzerlooksatme。Ihalt——
Mournfulmummer，BuckMulliganmoaned。Syngehasleftoffwearingblacktobelikenature。Onlycrows，priestsandEnglishcoalareblack。
Alaughtrippedoverhislips——
Longworthisawfullysick，hesaid，afterwhatyouwroteaboutthatoldhakeGregory。Oyouinquisitionaldrunkenjewjesuit！ShegetsyouajobonthepaperandthenyougoandslateherdriveltoJaysus。Couldn’tyoudotheYeatstouch？
Hewentonanddown，mopping，chantingwithwavinggracefularms:——
Themostbeautifulbookthathascomeoutofourcountryinmytime。OnethinksofHomer。
Hestoppedatthestairfoot——
Ihaveconceivedaplayforthemummers，hesaidsolemnly。
ThepillaredMoorishhall，shadowsentwined。Gonetheninemen’smorricewithcapsofindices。
InsweetlyvaryingvoicesBuckMulliganreadhistablet:
EverymanHisownWife
or
AHoneymoonintheHand
anationalimmoralityinthreeorgasms
by
BallockyMulligan
Heturnedahappypatch’ssmirktoStephen，saying:——
Thedisguise，Ifear，isthin。Butlisten。
Heread，marcato:——
Characters:
TOBYTOSTOFFaruinedPole
CRABabushranger
MEDICALDICK
andtwobirdswithonestone
MEDICALDAVY
MOTHERGROGANawatercarrier
FRESHNELLY
and
ROSALIEthecoalquaywhore
Helaughed，lollingatoandfrohead，walkingon，followedbyStephen:andmirthfullyhetoldtheshadows，soulsofmen:——
O，thenightintheCamdenhallwhenthedaughtersofErinhadtolifttheirskirtstostepoveryouasyoulayinyourmulberrycoloured，multicoloured，multitudinousvomit！——
ThemostinnocentsonofErin，Stephensaid，forwhomtheyeverliftedthem。
Abouttopassthroughthedoorway，feelingonebehind，hestoodaside。
Part。Themomentisnow。Wherethen？IfSocratesleavehishousetoday，ifJudasgoforthtonight。Why？ThatliesinspacewhichIintimemustcometo，ineluctably。
Mywill:hiswillthatfrontsme。Seasbetween。
Amanpassedoutbetweenthem，bowing，greeting——
Gooddayagain，BuckMulligansaid。
Theportico。
HereIwatchedthebirdsforaugury。&Aelig；ngusofthebirds。Theygo，theycome。nightIflew。Easilyflew。Menwandered。Streetofharlotsafter。Acreamfruitmelonheheldtome。In。Youwillsee——
Thewanderingjew，BuckMulliganwhisperedwithclown’sawe。Didyouseehiseye？Helookeduponyoutolustafteryou。Ifearthee，ancientmariner。O，Kinch，thouartinperil。Gettheeabreechpad。
MannerofOxenford。
Day。Wheelbarrowsunoverarchofbridge。
Adarkbackwentbeforethem。Stepofapard，down，outbythegateway，underportcullisbarbs。
Theyfollowed。
Offendmestill。Speakon。
KindairdefinedthecoignsofhousesinKildarestreet。Nobirds。Frailfromthehousetopstwoplumesofsmokeascended，pluming，andinaflawofsoftnesssoftlywereblown。
Ceasetostrive。PeaceofthedruidpriestsofCymbeline，hierophantic:fromwideearthanaltar。
Laudwethegods
Andletourcrookedsmokesclimbtotheirnostrils
Fromourbless’daltars。
WanderingRocks