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。Natü；rlich，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，redthyganAndthyquarronsdaintyis。
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。FlatI
see，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。