Улісс

           Clogstheporesorthephlegm.Poisonstheonlycures.Remedywhereyouleastexpectit.Cleverofnature.

           —Aboutafortnightago,sir?

           —Yes,MrBloomsaid.

           Hewaitedbythecounter,inhalingslowlythekeenreekofdrugs,thedustydrysmellofspongesandloofahs.Lotoftimetakenuptellingyourachesandpains.

           —Sweetalmondoilandtinctureofbenzoin,MrBloomsaid,andthenorangeflowerwater...

           Itcertainlydidmakeherskinsodelicatewhitelikewax.

           —Andwhitewaxalso,hesaid.

           Bringsoutthedarknessofhereyes.Lookingatme,thesheetuptohereyes,Spanish,smellingherself,whenIwasfixingthelinksinmycuffs.Thosehomelyrecipesareoftenthebest:strawberriesfortheteeth:nettlesandrainwater:oatmealtheysaysteepedinbuttermilk.Skinfood.Oneoftheoldqueen’ssons,dukeofAlbanywasit?hadonlyoneskin.Leopold,yes.Threewehave.Warts,bunionsandpimplestomakeitworse.Butyouwantaperfumetoo.Whatperfumedoesyour?Peaud’Espagne.Thatorangeflowerwaterissofresh.Nicesmellthesesoapshave.Purecurdsoap.Timetogetabathroundthecorner.Hammam.Turkish.Massage.Dirtgetsrolledupinyournavel.Nicerifanicegirldidit.AlsoIthinkI.YesI.Doitinthebath.CuriouslongingI.Watertowater.Combinebusinesswithpleasure.Pitynotimeformassage.Feelfreshthenalltheday.Funeralberatherglum.

           —Yes,sir,thechemistsaid.Thatwastwoandnine.Haveyoubroughtabottle?

           —No,MrBloomsaid.Makeitup,please.I’llcalllaterinthedayandI’lltakeoneofthesesoaps.Howmucharethey?

           —Fourpence,sir.