Портрет художника в юності

           Hesawtheseaofwaves,longdarkwavesrisingandfalling,darkunderthemoonlessnight.Atinylighttwinkledatthepierheadwheretheshipwasentering:andhesawamultitudeofpeoplegatheredbythewaters’edgetoseetheshipthatwasenteringtheirharbour.Atallmanstoodonthedeck,lookingouttowardstheflatdarkland:andbythelightatthepierheadhesawhisface,thesorrowfulfaceofBrotherMichael.

           Hesawhimlifthishandtowardsthepeopleandheardhimsayinaloudvoiceofsorrowoverthewaters:

           —Heisdead.Wesawhimlyinguponthecatafalque.Awailofsorrowwentupfromthepeople.

           —Parnell!Parnell!Heisdead!

           Theyfellupontheirknees,moaninginsorrow.

           AndhesawDanteinamaroonvelvetdressandwithagreenvelvetmantlehangingfromhershoulderswalkingproudlyandsilentlypastthepeoplewhokneltbythewater’sedge.

           ***

           Agreatfire,bankedhighandred,flamedinthegrateandundertheivy-twinedbranchesofthechandeliertheChristmastablewasspread.Theyhadcomehomealittlelateandstilldinnerwasnotready:butitwouldbereadyinajiffyhismotherhadsaid.Theywerewaitingforthedoortoopenandfortheservantstocomein,holdingthebigdishescoveredwiththeirheavymetalcovers.