Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 2
Nolifeoryouthstirredinhimasithadstirredinthem.Hehadknownneitherthepleasureofcompanionshipwithothersnorthevigourofrudemalehealthnorfilialpiety.Nothingstirredwithinhissoulbutacoldandcruelandlovelesslust.Hischildhoodwasdeadorlostandwithithissoulcapableofsimplejoysandhewasdriftingamidlifelikethebarrenshellofthemoon.
ArtthoupaleforwearinessOfclimbingheavenandgazingontheearth,Wanderingcompanionless?
HerepeatedtohimselfthelinesofShelley’sfragment.Itsalternationofsadhumanineffectivenesswithvastinhumancyclesofactivitychilledhimandheforgothisownhumanandineffectualgrieving.
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Stephen’smotherandhisbrotherandoneofhiscousinswaitedatthecornerofquietFosterPlacewhileheandhisfatherwentupthestepsandalongthecolonnadewheretheHighlandsentrywasparading.WhentheyhadpassedintothegreathallandstoodatthecounterStephendrewforthhisordersonthegovernorofthebankofIrelandforthirtyandthreepounds;andthesesums,themoneysofhisexhibitionandessayprize,werepaidovertohimrapidlybythetellerinnotesandincoinrespectively.Hebestowedtheminhispocketswithfeignedcomposureandsufferedthefriendlyteller,towhomhisfatherchatted,totakehishandacrossthebroadcounterandwishhimabrilliantcareerinafterlife.Hewasimpatientoftheirvoicesandcouldnotkeephisfeetatrest.
