Улисс

           Whocansay?Thewisefatherknowshisownchild.HethinksofadrizzlingnightinHatchstreet,hardbythebondedstoresthere,thefirst.Together(sheisapoorwaif,achildofshame,yoursandmineandofallforabareshillingandherluckpenny),togethertheyheartheheavytreadofthewatchastworaincapedshadowspassthenewroyaluniversity.Bridie!BridieKelly!Hewillneverforgetthename,everrememberthenight:firstnight,thebridenight.Theyareentwinedinnethermostdarkness,thewillerwiththewilled,andinaninstant(fiat!)lightshallfloodtheworld.Didheartleaptoheart?Nay,fairreader.Inabreath’twasdonebut—hold!Back!Itmustnotbe!Interrorthepoorgirlfleesawaythroughthemurk.Sheisthebrideofdarkness,adaughterofnight.Shedarenotbearthesunnygoldenbabeofday.No,Leopold.Nameandmemorysolacetheenot.Thatyouthfulillusionofthystrengthwastakenfromthee—andinvain.Nosonofthyloinsisbythee.ThereisnonenowtobeforLeopold,whatLeopoldwasforRudolph.

           Thevoicesblendandfuseincloudedsilence:silencethatistheinfiniteofspace:andswiftly,silentlythesouliswaftedoverregionsofcyclesofgenerationsthathavelived.Aregionwheregreytwilighteverdescends,neverfallsonwidesagegreenpasturefields,sheddingherdusk,scatteringaperennialdewofstars.Shefollowshermotherwithungainlysteps,amareleadingherfillyfoal.Twilightphantomsarethey,yetmouldedinpropheticgraceofstructure,slimshapelyhaunches,asuppletendonousneck,themeekapprehensiveskull.