Улисс

           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.SweetAnn,Itakeit,washotintheblood.Onceawooer,twiceawooer.

           Stephenturnedboldlyinhischair.

           —Theburdenofproofiswithyounotwithme,hesaidfrowning.IfyoudenythatinthefifthsceneofHamlethehasbrandedherwithinfamytellmewhythereisnomentionofherduringthethirtyfouryearsbetweenthedayshemarriedhimandthedaysheburiedhim.Allthosewomensawtheirmendownandunder:Mary,hergoodmanJohn,Ann,herpoordearWillun,whenhewentanddiedonher,ragingthathewasthefirsttogo,Joan,herfourbrothers,Judith,herhusbandandallhersons,Susan,herhusbandtoo,whileSusan’sdaughter,Elizabeth,tousegranddaddy’swords,wedhersecond,havingkilledherfirst.

           O,yes,mentionthereis.IntheyearswhenhewaslivingrichlyinroyalLondontopayadebtshehadtoborrowfortyshillingsfromherfather’sshepherd.Explainyouthen.Explaintheswansongtoowhereinhehascommendedhertoposterity.