Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 5
Andforagesmenhadgazedupwardashewasgazingatbirdsinflight.Thecolonnadeabovehimmadehimthinkvaguelyofanancienttempleandtheashplantonwhichheleanedwearilyofthecurvedstickofanaugur.Asenseoffearoftheunknownmovedintheheartofhisweariness,afearofsymbolsandportents,ofthehawk-likemanwhosenameheboresoaringoutofhiscaptivityonosier-wovenwings,ofThoth,thegodofwriters,writingwithareeduponatabletandbearingonhisnarrowibisheadthecuspedmoon.
Hesmiledashethoughtofthegod’simageforitmadehimthinkofabottle-nosedjudgeinawig,puttingcommasintoadocumentwhichheheldatarm’slength,andheknewthathewouldnothaverememberedthegod’snamebutthatitwaslikeanIrishoath.Itwasfolly.Butwasitforthisfollythathewasabouttoleaveforeverthehouseofprayerandprudenceintowhichhehadbeenbornandtheorderoflifeoutofwhichhehadcome?
Theycamebackwithshrillcriesoverthejuttingshoulderofthehouse,flyingdarklyagainstthefadingair.Whatbirdswerethey?Hethoughtthattheymustbeswallowswhohadcomebackfromthesouth.Thenhewastogoawayfortheywerebirdsevergoingandcoming,buildingeveranunlastinghomeundertheeavesofmen’shousesandeverleavingthehomestheyhadbuilttowander.
Benddownyourfaces,OonaandAleel.
