Портрет художника в юності

           Desireurgesustopossess,togotosomething;loathingurgesustoabandon,togofromsomething.Theartswhichexcitethem,pornographicalordidactic,arethereforeimproperarts.Theestheticemotion(Iusedthegeneralterm)isthereforestatic.Themindisarrestedandraisedabovedesireandloathing.

           —Yousaythatartmustnotexcitedesire,saidLynch.ItoldyouthatonedayIwrotemynameinpencilonthebacksideoftheVenusofPraxitelesintheMuseum.Wasthatnotdesire?

           —Ispeakofnormalnatures,saidStephen.Youalsotoldmethatwhenyouwereaboyinthatcharmingcarmeliteschoolyouatepiecesofdriedcowdung.

           Lynchbrokeagainintoawhinnyoflaughterandagainrubbedbothhishandsoverhisgroinsbutwithouttakingthemfromhispockets.

           —O,Idid!Idid!hecried.

           Stephenturnedtowardshiscompanionandlookedathimforamomentboldlyintheeyes.Lynch,recoveringfromhislaughter,answeredhislookfromhishumbledeyes.ThelongslenderflattenedskullbeneaththelongpointedcapbroughtbeforeStephen’smindtheimageofahoodedreptile.Theeyes,too,werereptile-likeinglintandgaze.Yetatthatinstant,humbledandalertintheirlook,theywerelitbyonetinyhumanpoint,thewindowofashrivelledsoul,poignantandself-embittered.

           —Asforthat,Stephensaidinpoliteparenthesis,weareallanimals.Ialsoamananimal.

           —Youare,saidLynch.