Улісс
Chapter 6
Butthecourtwantonspurnedhimforalord,hisdearmylove.
Lovethatdarenotspeakitsname.
—AsanEnglishman,youmean,JohnsturdyEglintonputin,helovedalord.
Oldwallwheresuddenlizardsflash.AtCharentonIwatchedthem.
—Itseemsso,Stephensaid,whenhewantstodoforhim,andforallotherandsingularunearedwombs,theholyofficeanostlerdoesforthestallion.Maybe,likeSocrates,hehadamidwifetomotherashehadashrewtowife.Butshe,thegiglotwanton,didnotbreakabedvow.Twodeedsarerankinthatghost’smind:abrokenvowandthedullbrainedyokelonwhomherfavourhasdeclined,deceasedhusband’sbrother.SweetAnn,Itakeit,washotintheblood.Onceawooer,twiceawooer.
Stephenturnedboldlyinhischair.
—Theburdenofproofiswithyounotwithme,hesaidfrowning.IfyoudenythatinthefifthsceneofHamlethehasbrandedherwithinfamytellmewhythereisnomentionofherduringthethirtyfouryearsbetweenthedayshemarriedhimandthedaysheburiedhim.Allthosewomensawtheirmendownandunder:Mary,hergoodmanJohn,Ann,herpoordearWillun,whenhewentanddiedonher,ragingthathewasthefirsttogo,Joan,herfourbrothers,Judith,herhusbandandallhersons,Susan,herhusbandtoo,whileSusan’sdaughter,Elizabeth,tousegranddaddy’swords,wedhersecond,havingkilledherfirst.
O,yes,mentionthereis.IntheyearswhenhewaslivingrichlyinroyalLondontopayadebtshehadtoborrowfortyshillingsfromherfather’sshepherd.Explainyouthen.Explaintheswansongtoowhereinhehascommendedhertoposterity.