Улисс
Chapter 1
Wherenow?
Hersecrets:oldfeatherfans,tasselleddancecards,powderedwithmusk,agaudofamberbeadsinherlockeddrawer.Abirdcagehunginthesunnywindowofherhousewhenshewasagirl.SheheardoldRoycesinginthepantomimeofTurkotheTerribleandlaughedwithotherswhenhesang:
Iamtheboy
Thatcanenjoy
Invisibility.
Phantasmalmirth,foldedaway:muskperfumed.
Andnomoreturnasideandbrood.
Foldedawayinthememoryofnaturewithhertoys.Memoriesbesethisbroodingbrain.Herglassofwaterfromthekitchentapwhenshehadapproachedthesacrament.Acoredapple,filledwithbrownsugar,roastingforheratthehobonadarkautumnevening.Hershapelyfingernailsreddenedbythebloodofsquashedlicefromthechildren’sshirts.
Inadream,silently,shehadcometohim,herwastedbodywithinitsloosegraveclothesgivingoffanodourofwaxandrosewood,herbreath,bentoverhimwithmutesecretwords,afaintodourofwettedashes.
Herglazingeyes,staringoutofdeath,toshakeandbendmysoul.Onmealone.Theghostcandletolightheragony.Ghostlylightonthetorturedface.Herhoarseloudbreathrattlinginhorror,whileallprayedontheirknees.Hereyesonmetostrikemedown.Liliatarutilantiumteconfessorumturmacircumdet:iubilantiumtevirginumchorusexcipiat.
Ghoul!Chewerofcorpses!
No,mother!Letmebeandletmelive.
—Kinchahoy!
BuckMulligan’svoicesangfromwithinthetower.Itcamenearerupthestaircase,callingagain.Stephen,stilltremblingathissoul’scry,heardwarmrunningsunlightandintheairbehindhimfriendlywords.
