Улисс

           Alikefateawaitshimandthetworagescommingleinawhirlpool.

           Theylist.AndintheporchesoftheirearsIpour.

           —Thesoulhasbeenbeforestrickenmortally,apoisonpouredintheporchofasleepingear.ButthosewhoaredonetodeathinsleepcannotknowthemanneroftheirquellunlesstheirCreatorendowtheirsoulswiththatknowledgeinthelifetocome.ThepoisoningandthebeastwithtwobacksthaturgeditKingHamlet’sghostcouldnotknowofwerehenotendowedwithknowledgebyhiscreator.Thatiswhythespeech(hisleanunlovelyEnglish)isalwaysturnedelsewhere,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!wasrespondedfromthedoorway.

           Hastthoufoundme,Omineenemy?

           Entr’acte.

           Aribaldface,sullenasadean’s,BuckMulligancameforward,thenblitheinmotley,towardsthegreetingoftheirsmiles.Mytelegram.

           —Youwerespeakingofthegaseousvertebrate,ifImistakenot?heaskedofStephen.