Улісс

           Verylargeandwonderfulandkeepsfamoustime.Yousayright,sir.AMondaymorning,’twasso,indeed.

           StephenwentdownBedfordrow,thehandleoftheashclackingagainsthisshoulderblade.InClohissey’swindowafaded1860printofHeenanboxingSayersheldhiseye.Staringbackerswithsquarehatsstoodroundtheropedprizering.Theheavyweightsintightloinclothsproposedgentlyeachtootherhisbulbousfists.Andtheyarethrobbing:heroes’hearts.

           Heturnedandhaltedbytheslantedbookcart.

           —Twopenceeach,thehuckstersaid.Fourforsixpence.

           Tatteredpages.TheIrishBeekeeper.LifeandMiraclesoftheCuréofArs.PocketGuidetoKillarney.

           Imightfindhereoneofmypawnedschoolprizes.StephanoDedalo,alumnooptimo,palmamferenti.

           FatherConmee,havingreadhislittlehours,walkedthroughthehamletofDonnycarney,murmuringvespers.

           Bindingtoogoodprobably.Whatisthis?EighthandninthbookofMoses.Secretofallsecrets.SealofKingDavid.Thumbedpages:readandread.Whohaspassedherebeforeme?Howtosoftenchappedhands.Recipeforwhitewinevinegar.Howtowinawoman’slove.Formethis.Saythefollowingtalismanthreetimeswithhandsfolded:

           —Seelyilonebrakadafemininum!Amormesolo!Sanktus!Amen.

           Whowrotethis?CharmsandinvocationsofthemostblessedabbotPeterSalankatoalltruebelieversdivulged.Asgoodasanyotherabbot’scharms,asmumblingJoachim’s.Down,baldynoddle,orwe’llwoolyourwool.

           —Whatareyoudoinghere,Stephen?

           Dilly’shighshouldersandshabbydress.

           Shutthebookquick.Don’tletsee.