Улисс

           Theninlastswitchbacklumberingupanddownbumpmashtubsortofviceroyandreinerelishfortublumberbumpshirerose.Baraabum!)

           (Thecouplesfallaside.Stephenwhirlsgiddily.Roomwhirlsback.Eyesclosedhetotters.Redrailsflyspacewards.Starsallaroundsunsturnroundabout.Brightmidgesdanceonwalls.Hestopsdead.)

           STEPHEN:Ho!

           (Stephen’smother,emaciated,risesstarkthroughthefloor,inlepergreywithawreathoffadedorangeblossomsandatornbridalveil,herfacewornandnoseless,greenwithgravemould.Herhairisscantandlank.ShefixesherbluecircledholloweyesocketsonStephenandopenshertoothlessmouthutteringasilentword.Achoirofvirginsandconfessorssingvoicelessly.)

           THECHOIR:

           Liliatarutilantiumteconfessorum...

           Iubilantiumtevirginum...

           (FromthetopofatowerBuckMulligan,inparticolouredjester’sdressofpuceandyellowandclown’scapwithcurlingbell,standsgapingather,asmokingbutteredsplitsconeinhishand.)

           BUCKMULLIGAN:She’sbeastlydead.Thepityofit!Mulliganmeetstheafflictedmother.(Heupturnshiseyes.)MercurialMalachi!

           THEMOTHER:(Withthesubtlesmileofdeath’smadness.)IwasoncethebeautifulMayGoulding.Iamdead.

           STEPHEN:(Horrorstruck.)Lemur,whoareyou?No.Whatbogeyman’strickisthis?

           BUCKMULLIGAN:(Shakeshiscurlingcapbell.)Themockeryofit!Kinchdogsbodykilledherbitchbody.Shekickedthebucket.(Tearsofmoltenbutterfallfromhiseyesontothescone.)Ourgreatsweetmother!Epioinopaponton.

           THEMOTHER:(Comesnearer,breathinguponhimsoftlyherbreathofwettedashes.