Улисс

           )Allmustgothroughit,Stephen.Morewomenthanmenintheworld.Youtoo.Timewillcome.

           STEPHEN:(Chokingwithfright,remorseandhorror.)TheysayIkilledyou,mother.Heoffendedyourmemory.Cancerdidit,notI.Destiny.

           THEMOTHER:(Agreenrillofbiletricklingfromasideofhermouth.)Yousangthatsongtome.Love’sbittermystery.

           STEPHEN:(Eagerly.)Tellmetheword,mother,ifyouknownow.Thewordknowntoallmen.

           THEMOTHER:WhosavedyouthenightyoujumpedintothetrainatDalkeywithPaddyLee?Whohadpityforyouwhenyouweresadamongthestrangers?Prayerisallpowerful.PrayerforthesufferingsoulsintheUrsulinemanualandfortydays’indulgence.Repent,Stephen.

           STEPHEN:Theghoul!Hyena!

           THEMOTHER:Iprayforyouinmyotherworld.GetDillytomakeyouthatboiledriceeverynightafteryourbrainwork.YearsandyearsIlovedyou,O,myson,myfirstborn,whenyoulayinmywomb.

           ZOE:(Fanningherselfwiththegratefan.)I’mmelting!

           FLORRY:(PointstoStephen.)Look!He’swhite.

           BLOOM:(Goestothewindowtoopenitmore.)Giddy.

           THEMOTHER:(Withsmoulderingeyes.)Repent!O,thefireofhell!

           STEPHEN:(Panting.)Hisnoncorrosivesublimate!Thecorpsechewer!Rawheadandbloodybones.

           THEMOTHER:(Herfacedrawingnearandnearer,sendingoutanashenbreath.)Beware!(SheraisesherblackenedwitheredrightarmslowlytowardsStephen’sbreastwithoutstretchedfinger.)BewareGod’shand!(AgreencrabwithmalignantredeyessticksdeepitsgrinningclawsinStephen’sheart.)

           STEPHEN:(Strangledwithrage.)Shite!(Hisfeaturesgrowdrawnandgreyandold.