Улісс

           Afountainmurmursamongdamaskroses.Mammothrosesmurmurofscarletwinegrapes.Awineofshame,lust,bloodexudes,strangelymurmuring.)

           ZOE:(Murmuringsingsongwiththemusic,herodalisklipslusciouslysmearedwithsalveofswinefatandrosewater.)Schorachaniwenowach,benoithHierushaloim.

           BLOOM:(Fascinated.)Ithoughtyouwereofgoodstockbyyouraccent.

           ZOE:Andyouknowwhatthoughtdid?

           (Shebiteshiseargentlywithlittlegoldstoppedteeth,sendingonhimacloyingbreathofstalegarlic.Therosesdrawapart,discloseasepulchreofthegoldofkingsandtheirmoulderingbones.)

           BLOOM:(Drawsback,mechanicallycaressingherrightbubwithaflatawkwardhand.)AreyouaDublingirl?

           ZOE:(Catchesastrayhairdeftlyandtwistsittohercoil.)Nobloodyfear.I’mEnglish.Haveyouaswaggerroot?

           BLOOM:(Asbefore.)Rarelysmoke,dear.Cigarnowandthen.Childishdevice.(Lewdly.)Themouthcanbebetterengagedthanwithacylinderofrankweed.

           ZOE:Goon.Makeastumpspeechoutofit.

           BLOOM:(Inworkman’scorduroyoveralls,blackgansywithredfloatingtieandapachecap.)Mankindisincorrigible.SirWalterRaleghbroughtfromthenewworldthatpotatoandthatweed,theoneakillerofpestilencebyabsorption,theotherapoisoneroftheear,eye,heart,memory,will,understanding,all.ThatistosayhebroughtthepoisonahundredyearsbeforeanotherpersonwhosenameIforgetbroughtthefood.Suicide.Lies.Allourhabits.Why,lookatourpubliclife!

           (Midnightchimesfromdistantsteeples.