Улисс

           DoctorSwiftsaysonemaninarmourwillbeattenmenintheirshirts.Shirtissynechdoche.Partforthewhole.

           CISSYCAFFREY:(Tothecrowd.)No,Iwaswiththeprivates.

           STEPHEN:(Amiably.)Whynot?Theboldsoldierboy.Inmyopinioneveryladyforexample...

           PRIVATECARR:(Hiscapawry,advancestoStephen.)Say,howwoulditbe,governor,ifIwastobashinyourjaw?

           STEPHEN:(Looksuptothesky.)How?Veryunpleasant.Nobleartofselfpretence.Personally,Idetestaction.(Hewaveshishand.)Handhurtsmeslightly.Enfincesontvosoignons.(ToCissyCaffrey.)Sometroubleisonhere.Whatisitprecisely?

           DOLLYGRAY:(Fromherbalconywavesherhandkerchief,givingthesignoftheheroineofJericho.)Rahab.Cook’sson,goodbye.SafehometoDolly.Dreamofthegirlyouleftbehindandshewilldreamofyou.

           (Thesoldiersturntheirswimmingeyes.)

           BLOOM:(Elbowingthroughthecrowd,plucksStephen’ssleevevigorously.)Comenow,professor,thatcarmaniswaiting.

           STEPHEN:(Turns.)Eh?(Hedisengageshimself.)WhyshouldInotspeaktohimortoanyhumanbeingwhowalksuprightuponthisoblateorange?(Hepointshisfinger.)I’mnotafraidofwhatIcantalktoifIseehiseye.Retainingtheperpendicular.

           (Hestaggersapaceback.)

           BLOOM:(Proppinghim.)Retainyourown.

           STEPHEN:(Laughsemptily.)Mycentreofgravityisdisplaced.Ihaveforgottenthetrick.Letussitdownsomewhereanddiscuss.Struggleforlifeisthelawofexistencebutbuthumanphilirenists,notablythetsarandthekingofEngland,haveinventedarbitration.(Hetapshisbrow.