第4章

MrBloomlookedbacktowardsthechoir。Notgoingtobeanymusic。Pity。WhohastheorganhereIwonder？OldGlynnheknewhowtomakethatinstrumenttalk，thevibrato:fiftypoundsayeartheysayhehadinGardinerstreet。Mollywasinfinevoicethatday，theStabatMaterofRossini。FatherBernardVaughan’ssermonfirst。ChristorPilate？Christ，butdon’tkeepusallnightoverit。Musictheywanted。Footdrillstopped。Couldhearapindrop。Itoldhertopitchhervoiceagainstthatcorner。Icouldfeelthethrillintheair，thefull，thepeoplelookingup:

Quisesthomo！

Someofthatoldsacredmusicissplendid。Mercadante:sevenlastwords。Mozart’stwelfthmass:theGloriainthat。Thoseoldpopeswerekeenonmusic，onartandstatuesandpicturesofallkinds。Palestrinaforexampletoo。Theyhadagayoldtimewhileitlasted。Healthytoochanting，regularhours，thenbrewliqueurs。Benedictine。GreenChartreuse。Still，havingeunuchsintheirchoirthatwascomingitabitthick。Whatkindofvoiceisit？Mustbecurioustohearaftertheirownstrongbasses。Connoisseurs。Supposetheywouldn’tfeelanythingafter。Kindofaplacid。Noworry。Fallintofleshdon’tthey？Gluttons，tall，longlegs。Whoknows？Eunuch。Onewayoutofit。

Hesawthepriestbenddownandkissthealtarandthenfaceaboutandblessallthepeople。Allcrossedthemselvesandstoodup。MrBloomglancedabouthimandthenstoodup，lookingovertherisenhats。Standupatthegospelofcourse。Thenallsettleddownontheirkneesagainandhesatbackquietlyinhisbench。Thepriestcamedownfromthealtar，holdingthethingoutfromhim，andheandthemassboyansweredeachotherinLatin。Thenthepriestkneltdownandbegantoreadoffacard:——

OGod，ourrefugeandourstrength。

MrBloomputhisfaceforwardtocatchthewords。English。Throwthemthebone。Irememberslightly。Howlongsinceyourlastmass？Gloriaandimmaculatevirgin。Josephherspouse。PeterandPaul。Moreinterestingifyouunderstoodwhatitwasallabout。Wonderfulorganisationcertainly，goeslikeclockwork。Confession。Everyonewantsto。ThenIwilltellyouall。Penance。Punishme，please。GreatweaponIntheirhands。Morethandoctororsolicitor。Womandyingto。AndIschschschschschsch。Anddidyouchachachachacha？Andwhydidyou？Lookdownatherringtofindanexcuse。Whisperinggallerywallshaveears。Husbandlearntohissurprise。God’slittlejoke。Thenoutshecomes。Repentanceskindeep。Lovelyshame。Prayatanaltar。HailMaryandHolyMary。Flowers，incense，candlesmelting。Hideherblushes。Salvationarmyblatantimitation。Reformedprostitutewilladdressthemeeting。HowIfoundtheLord。SquareheadedchapsthosemustbeinRome:theyworkthewholeshow。Anddon’ttheyrakeinthemoneytoo？Bequestsalso:totheP。P。forthetimebeinginhisabsolutediscretion。Massesforthereposeofmysoultobesaidpubliclywithopendoors。Monasteriesandconvents。ThepriestintheFermanaghwillcaseinthewitnessbox。Nobrowbeatinghim。Hehadhisanswerpatforeverything。Libertyandexaltationofourholymotherthechurch。Thedoctorsofthechurch:theymappedoutthewholetheologyofit。

Thepriestprayed:——

BlessedMichael，archangel，defendusinthehourofconflict。Beoursafeguardagainstthewickednessandsnaresofthedevil(mayGodrestrainhim，wehumblypray):anddothou，Oprinceoftheheavenlyhost，bythepowerofGodthrustSatandowntohellandwithhimthoseotherwickedspiritswhowanderthroughtheworldfortheruinofsouls。

Thepriestandthemassboystoodupandwalkedoff。Allover。Thewomenremainedbehind:thanksgiving。

Betterbeshovingalong。BrotherBuzz。Comearoundwiththeplateperhaps。PayyourEasterduty。

Hestoodup。Hello。Werethosetwobuttonsofmywaistcoatopenallthetime。Womenenjoyit。Annoyedifyoudon’t。Why-didn’tyoutellmebefore。Nevertellyou。Butwe。Excuse，miss，there’sa(whh！)justa(whh！)fluff。Ortheirskirtbehind，placketunhooked。Glimpsesofthemoon。Stilllikeyoubetteruntidy。Goodjobitwasn’tfarthersouth。Hepassed，discreetlybuttoning，downtheaisleandoutthroughthemaindoorintothelight。Hestoodamomentunseeingbythecoldblackmarblebowlwhilebeforehimandbehindtwoworshippersdippedfurtivehandsinthelowtideofholywater。Trams:acarofPrescott’sdyeworks:awidowinherweeds。NoticebecauseI’minmourningmyself。Hecoveredhimself。Howgoesthetime？Quarterpast。Timeenoughyet。Bettergetthatlotionmadeup。Whereisthis？Ahyes，thelasttime。Sweny’sinLincolnplace。Chemistsrarelymove。Theirgreenandgoldbeaconjarstooheavytostir。HamiltonLong’s，foundedintheyearoftheflood。Huguenotchurchyardnearthere。Visitsomeday。

HewalkedsouthwardalongWestlandrow。Buttherecipeisintheothertrousers。O，andIforgotthatlatchkeytoo。Borethisfuneralaffair。Owell，poorfellow，it’snothisfault。WhenwasitIgotitmadeuplast？Wait。IchangedasovereignIremember。Firstofthemonthitmusthavebeenorthesecond。Ohecanlookitupintheprescriptionsbook。

Thechemistturnedbackpageafterpage。Sandyshrivelledsmellheseemstohave。Shrunkenskull。Andold。Questforthephilosopher’sstone。Thealchemists。Drugsageyouaftermentalexcitement。Lethargythen。Why？Reaction。Alifetimeinanight。Graduallychangesyourcharacter。Livingallthedayamongherbs，ointments，disinfectants。Allhisalabasterlilypots。Mortarandpestle。Aq。Dist。Fol。Laur。TeVirid。Smellalmostcureyoulikethedentist’sdoorbell。Doctorwhack。Heoughttophysichimselfabit。Electuaryoremulsion。Thefirstfellowthatpickedanherbtocurehimselfhadabitofpluck。Simples。Wanttobecareful。Enoughstuffheretochloroformyou。Test:turnsbluelitmuspaperred。Chloroform。Overdoseoflaudanum。Sleepingdraughts。Lovephiltres。Paragoricpoppysyrupbadforcough。Clogstheporesorthephlegm。Poisonstheonlycures。Remedywhereyouleastexpectit。Cleverofnature——

Aboutafortnightago，sir？——

Yes，MrBloomsaid。

Hewaitedbythecounter，inhalingthekeenreekofdrugs，thedustydrysmellofspongesandloofahs。Lotoftimetakenuptellingyourachesandpains——

Sweetalmondoilandtinctureofbenzoin，MrBloomsaid，andthenorangeflowerwater……

Itcertainlydidmakeherskinsodelicatewhitelikewax——

Andwhitewaxalso，hesaid。

Bringsoutthedarknessofhereyes。Lookingatme，thesheetuptohereyes，Spanish，smellingherself，whenIwasfixingthelinksinmycuffs。Thosehomelyrecipesareoftenthebest:strawberriesfortheteeth:nettlesandrainwater:oatmealtheysaysteepedinbuttermilk。Skinfood。Oneoftheoldqueen’ssons，dukeofAlbanywasit？hadonlyoneskin。Leopoldyes。Threewehave。Warts，bunionsandpimplestomakeitworse。Butyouwantaperfumetoo。Whatperfumedoesyour？Peaud’Espagne。Thatorangeflower。Purecurdsoap。Waterissofresh。Nicesmellthesesoapshave。Timetogetabathroundthecorner。Hammam。Turkish。Massage。Dirtgetsrolledupinyournavel。Nicerifanicegirldidit。AlsoIthinkI。YesI。Doitinthebath。CuriouslongingI。Watertowater。Combinebusinesswithpleasure。Pitynotimeformassage。Feelfreshthenallday。Funeralberatherglum——

Yes，sir，thechemistsaid。Thatwastwoandnine。Haveyoubroughtabottle？——

No，MrBloomsaid。Makeitup，please。I’llcalllaterinthedayandI’lltakeoneofthosesoaps。Howmucharethey？——

Fourpence，sir。

MrBloomraisedacaketohisnostrils。Sweetlemonywax——

I’lltakethisone，hesaid。Thatmakesthreeandapenny——

Yes，sir，thechemistsaid。Youcanpayalltogether，sir，whenyoucomeback——

Good，MrBloomsaid。

Hestrolledoutoftheshop，thenewspaperbatonunderhisarmpit，thecoolwrapperedsoapinhislefthand。

AthisarmpitBantamLyons’voiceandhandsaid:——

Hello，Bloom，what’sthebestnews？Isthattoday’s？Showusaminute。

Shavedoffhismoustacheagain，byJove！Longcoldupperlip。Tolookyounger。Hedoeslookbalmy。YoungerthanIam。

BantamLyons’yellowblacknailedfingersunrolledthebaton。Wantsawashtoo。Takeofftheroughdirt。Goodmorning，haveyouusedPears’soap？Dandruffonhisshoulders。Scalpwantsoiling——

IwanttoseeaboutthatFrenchhorsethat’srunningtoday，BantamLyonssaid。Wherethebuggerisit？

Herustledthepleatedpages，jerkinghischinonhishighcollar。Barber’sitch。Tightcollarhe’lllosehishair。Betterleavehimthepaperandgetshutofhim——

Youcankeepit，MrBloomsaid——

Ascot。Goldcup。Wait，BantamLyonsmuttered。Halfamo。Maximumthesecond——

Iwasjustgoingtothrowitaway，MrBloomsaid。

BantamLyonsraisedhiseyessuddenlyandleeredweakly——

What’sthat？hissharpvoicesaid——

Isayyoucankeepit，MrBloomanswered。Iwasgoingtothrowitawaythatmoment。

BantamLyonsdoubtedaninstant，leering:thenthrusttheoutspreadsheetsbackonMrBloom’sarms——

I’Ilriskit，hesaid。Here，thanks。

HespedofftowardsConway’scorner。Godspeedscut。

MrBloomfoldedthesheetsagaintoaneatsquareandlodgedthesoapinit，smiling。Sillylipsofthatchap。Betting。Regularhotbedofitlately。Messengerboysstealingtoputonsixpence。Raffleforlargetenderturkey。YourChristmasdinnerforthreepence。JackFlemingembezzlingtogamblethensmuggledofftoAmerica。Keepsahotelnow。Theynevercomeback。FleshpotsofEgypt。

Hewalkedcheerfullytowardsthemosqueofthebaths。Remindyouofamosque，redbakedbricks，theminarets。CollegesportstodayIsee。Heeyedthehorseshoeposteroverthegateofcollegepark:cyclistdoubleduplikeacodinapot。Damnbadad。Nowiftheyhadmadeitroundlikeawheel。Thenthespokes:sports，sports，sports:andthehubbig:college。Somethingtocatchtheeye。

There’sHornblowerstandingattheporter’slodge。Keephimonhands:mighttakeaturninthereonthenod。Howdoyoudo，MrHornblower？Howdoyoudo，sir？

Heavenlyweatherreally。Iflifewasalwayslikethat。Cricketweather。Sitaroundundersunshades。Overafterover。Out。Theycan’tplayithere。Duckforsixwickets。StillCaptainBullerbrokeawindowintheKildarestreetclubwithaslogtosquareleg。Donnybrookfairmoreintheirline。AndtheskullswewereacrackingwhenM’Carthytookthefloor。Heatwave。Won’tlast。Alwayspassing，thestreamoflife，whichinthestreamoflifewetraceisdearerthanthemall。

Enjoyabathnow:cleantroughofwater，coolenamel，thegentletepidstream。Thisismybody。

Heforesawhispalebodyreclinedinitatfull，naked，inawombofwarmth，oiledbyscentedmeltingsoap，softlylaved。Hesawhistrunkandlimbsriprippledoverandsustained，buoyedlightlyupward，lemonyellow:hisnavel，budofflesh:andsawthedarktangledcurlsofhisbushfloating，floatinghairofthestreamaroundthelimpfatherofthousands，alanguidfloatingflower。

Hades

MARTINCUNNINGHAM，FIRST，POKEDHISSILKHATTEDHEADINTOthecreakingcarriageand，enteringdeftly，seatedhimself。MrPowersteppedinafterhim，curvinghisheightwithcare——

Comeon，Simon——

Afteryou，MrBloomsaid。

MrDedaluscoveredhimselfquicklyandgotin，saying:——

Yes，yes——

Areweallherenow？MartinCunninghamasked。Comealong，Bloom。

MrBloomenteredandsatinthevacantplace。Hepulledthedoortoafterhimandslammedittighttillitshuttight。Hepassedanarmthroughthearmstrapandlookedseriouslyfromtheopencarriagewindowattheloweredblindsoftheavenue。Onedraggedaside:anoldwomanpeeping。Nosewhiteflattenedagainstthepane。Thankingherstarsshewaspassedover。Extraordinarytheinteresttheytakeinacorpse。Gladtoseeusgowegivethemsuchtroublecoming。Jobseemstosuitthem。Huggermuggerincorners。Slopaboutinslipper-slappersforfearhe’dwake。Thengettingitready。Layingitout。MollyandMrsFlemingmakingthebed。Pullitmoretoyourside。Ourwindingsheet。Neverknowwhowilltouchyoudead。Washandshampoo。Ibelievetheyclipthenailsandthehair。Keepabitinanenvelope。Growallthesameafter。Uncleanjob。

Allwaited。Nothingwassaid。Stowinginthewreathsprobably。Iamsittingonsomethinghard。Ah，thatsoapinmyhippocket。Bettershiftitoutofthat。Waitforanopportunity。

Allwaited。Thenwheelswereheardfrominfrontturning:thennearer:thenhorses’hoofs。Ajolt。Theircarriagebegantomove，creakingandswaying。Otherhoofsandcreakingwheelsstartedbehind。Theblindsoftheavenuepassedandnumberninewithitscrapedknocker，doorajar。Atwalkingpace。

Theywaitedstill，theirkneesjogging，tilltheyhadturnedandwerepassingalongthetramtracks。Tritonvilleroad。Quicker。Thewheelsrattledrollingoverthecobbledcausewayandthecrazyglassesshookrattlinginthedoorframes——

Whatwayishetakingus？MrPoweraskedthroughbothwindows——

Irishtown，MartinCunninghamsaid。Ringsend。Brunswickstreet。

MrDedalusnodded，lookingout——

That’safineoldcustom，hesaid。Iamgladtoseeithasnotdiedout。

Allwatchedawhilethroughtheirwindowscapsandhatsliftedbypassers。Respect。ThecarriageswervedfromthetramtracktothesmootherroadpastWaterylane。MrBloomatgazesawalitheyoungman，cladinmourning，awidehat——

There’safriendofyoursgoneby，Dedalus，hesaid——

Whoisthat？——

Yoursonandheir——

Whereishe？MrDedalussaid，stretchingoveracross。

Thecarriage，passingtheopendrainsandmoundsofrippeduproadwaybeforethetenementhouses，lurchedroundthecornerand，swervingbacktothetramtrack，rolledonnoisilywithchatteringwheels。MrDedalusfellback，saying:——

WasthatMulligancadwithhim？HisfidusAchates？——

No，MrBloomsaid。Hewasalone——

DownwithhisauntSally，Isuppose，MrDedalussaid，theGouldingfaction，thedrunkenlittlecost-drawerandCrissie，papa’slittlelumpofdung，thewisechildthatknowsherownfather。

MrBloomsmiledjoylesslyonRingsendroad。WallaceBrosthebottleworks。Dodderbridge。

RichieGouldingandthelegalbag。Goulding，CollisandWardhecallsthefirm。Hisjokesaregettingabitdamp。Greatcardhewas。WaltzinginStamerstreetwithIgnatiusGallaheronaSundaymorning，thelandlady’stwohatspinnedonhishead。Outontherampageallnight。Beginningtotellonhimnow:thatbackacheofhis，Ifear。Wifeironinghisback。Thinkshe’llcureitwithpills。Allbreadcrumbstheyare。Aboutsixhundredpercentprofit——

He’sinwithalowdowncrowd，MrDedalussnarled。ThatMulliganisacontaminatedbloodydoubledyedruffianbyallaccounts。HisnamestinksalloverDublin。ButwiththehelpofGodandHisblessedmotherI’Ilmakeitmybusinesstowritealetteroneofthosedaystohismotherorhisauntorwhateversheisthatwillopenhereyeaswideasagate。I`Ilticklehiscatastrophe，believeyoume。

Hecriedabovetheclatterofthewheels——

Iwon’thaveherbastardofanephewruinmyson。Acounter-jumper’sson。Sellingtapesinmycousin，PeterPaulM’Swiney’s。Notlikely。

Heceased。MrBloomglancedfromhisangrymoustachetoMrPower’smildfaceandMartinCunningham’seyesandbeard，gravelyshaking。Noisyselfwilledman。Fullofhisson。Heisright。Somethingtohandon。IflittleRudyhadlived。Seehimgrowup。Hearhisvoiceinthehouse。WalkingbesideMollyinanEtonsuit。Myson。Meinhiseyes。Strangefeelingitwouldbe。Fromme。Justachance。MusthavebeenthatmorninginRaymondterraceshewasatthewindow，watchingthetwodogsatitbythewalloftheceasetodoevil。Andthesergeantgrinningup。Shehadthatcreamgownonwiththeripsheneverstitched。Giveusatouch，Poldy。God，I’mdyingforit。Howlifebegins。

Gotbigthen。HadtorefusetheGreystonesconcert。Mysoninsideher。Icouldhavehelpedhimoninlife。Icould。Makehimindependent。LearnGermantoo——

Arewelate？MrPowerasked——

Tenminutes，MartinCunninghamsaid，lookingathiswatch

Molly。Milly。Samethingwatereddown。Hertomboyoaths。OjumpingJupiter！Yegodsandlittlefishes！Still，she’sadeargirl。Soonbeawoman。Mullingar。DearestPapli。Youngstudent。Yes，yes:awomantoo。Life。Life。

Thecarriageheeledoverandback，theirfourtrunksswaying——

Cornymighthavegivenusamorecommodiousyoke，MrPowersaid——

Hemight，MrDedalussaid，ifhehadn’tthatsquinttroublinghim。Doyoufollowme？

Heclosedhislefteye。MartinCunninghambegantobrushawaycrustcrumbsfromunderhisthighs——

Whatisthis，hesaid，inthenameofGod？Crumbs？——

Someoneseemstohavebeenmakingapicnicpartyherelately，MrPowersaid。

Allraisedtheirthighs，eyedwithdisfavourthemildewedbuttonlessleatheroftheseats。MrDedalus，twistinghisnose，frowneddownwardandsaid:——

UnlessI’mgreatlymistaken。Whatdoyouthink，Martin？——

Itstruckmetoo，MartinCunninghamsaid。

MrBloomsethisthighdown。GladItookthatbath。Feelmyfeetquiteclean。ButIwishMrsFleminghaddarnedthesesocksbetter。

MrDedalussighedresignedly——

Afterall，hesaid，it’sthemostnaturalthingintheworld——

DidTomKernanturnup？MartinCunninghamasked，twirlingthepeakofhisbeardgently——

Yes，MrBloomanswered。He’sbehindwithNedLambertandHynes——

AndCornyKelleherhimself？MrPowerasked——

Atthecemetery，MartinCunninghamsaid——

ImetM’Coythismorning，MrBloomsaid。Hesaidhe’dtrytocome。

Thecarriagehaltedshort——

What’swrong？——

We’restopped——

Wherearewe？

MrBloomputhisheadoutofthewindow——

Thegrandcanal，hesaid。

Gasworks。Whoopingcoughtheysayitcures。GoodjobMillynevergotit。Poorchildren！Doublesthemupblackandblueinconvulsions。Shamereally。Gotofflightlywithillnesscompared。Onlymeasles。Flaxseedtea。Scarlatina，influenzaepidemics。Canvassingfordeath。Don’tmissthischance。Dogs’homeoverthere。PooroldAthos！BegoodtoAthos，Leopold，ismylastwish。Thywillbedone。Weobeytheminthegrave。Adyingscrawl。Hetookittoheart，pinedaway。Quietbrute。Oldmen’sdogsusuallyare。

Araindropspatonhishat。Hedrewbackandsawaninstantofshowerspraydotsoverthegreyflags。Apart。Curious。Likethroughacolander。Ithoughtitwould。MybootswerecreakingIremembernow——

Theweatherischanging，hesaidquietly——

Apityitdidnotkeepupfine，MartinCunninghamsaid——

Wantedforthecountry，MrPowersaid。There’sthesunagaincomingout。

MrDedalus，peeringthroughhisglassestowardstheveiledsun，hurledamutecurseatthesky——

It’sasuncertainasachild’sbottom，hesaid——

We’reoffagain。

Thecarriageturnedagainitsstiffwheelsandtheirtrunksswayedgently。MartinCunninghamtwirledmorequicklythepeakofhisbeard——

TomKernanwasimmenselastnight，hesaid。AndPaddyLeonardtakinghimofftohisface——

Odrawhimout，Martin，MrPowersaideagerly。Waittillyouhearhim，Simon，onBenDollard’ssingingofTheCroppyBoy——

Immense，MartinCunninghamsaidpompously。Hissingingofthatsimpleballad，Martin，isthemosttrenchantrenderingIeverheardinthewholecourseofmyexperience——

Trenchant，MrPowersaidlaughing。He’sdeadnutsonthat。Andtheretrospectivearrangement——

DidyoureadDanDawson’sspeech？MartinCunninghamasked——

Ididnotthen，MrDedalussaid。Whereisit？——

Inthepaperthismorning。

MrBloomtookthepaperfromhisinsidepocket。ThatbookImustchangeforher——

No，no，MrDedalussaidquickly。Lateron，please。

MrBloom’sglancetravelleddowntheedgeofthepaper，scanningthedeaths。Callan，Coleman，Dignam，Fawcett，Lowry，Naumann，Peake，whatPeakeisthat？isitthechapwasinCrosbieandAlleyne’s？no，Sexton，Urbright。Inkedcharactersfastfadingonthefrayedbreakingpaper。ThankstotheLittleFlower。Sadlymissed。Totheinexpressiblegriefofhis。Aged88afteralongandtediousillness。Month’smind。Quinlan。OnwhosesoulSweetJesushavemercy。

ItisnowamonthsincedearHenryfled

Tohishomeupaboveinthesky

Whilehisfamilyweepsandmournshisloss

Hopingsomedaytomeethimonhigh。

Itoreuptheenvelope？Yes。WheredidIputherletterafterIreaditinthebath？Hepattedhiswaistcoatpocket。Thereallright。DearHenryfled。Beforemypatienceareexhausted。

Nationalschool。Meade’syard。Thehazard。Onlytwotherenow。Nodding。Fullasatick。Toomuchboneintheirskulls。Theothertrottingroundwithafare。AnhouragoIwaspassingthere。Thejarviesraisedtheirhats。

Apointsman’sbackstraighteneditselfuprightsuddenlyagainstatramwaystandardbyMrBloom’swindow。Couldn’ttheyinventsomethingautomaticsothatthewheelitselfmuchhandler？Wellbutthatfellowwouldlosehisjobthen？Wellbutthenanotherfellowwouldgetajobmakingthenewinvention？

Antientconcertrooms。Nothingonthere。Amaninabuffsuitwithacrapearmlet。Notmuchgriefthere。Quartermourning。Peopleinlaw，perhaps。

TheywentpastthebleakpulpitofSaintMark’s，undertherailwaybridge，pasttheQueen’stheatre:insilence。Hoardings。EugeneStratton。MrsBandmanPalmer。CouldIgotoseeLeahtonight，Iwonder。IsaidI。OrtheLilyofKillarney？ElsterGrimesOperacompany。Bigpowerfulchange。Wetbrightbillsfornextweek。FunontheBristol。MartinCunninghamcouldworkapassfortheGaiety。Havetostandadrinkortwo。Asbroadasit’slong。

He’scomingintheafternoon。Hersongs。

Plasto’s。SirPhilipCrampton’smemorialfountainbust。Whowashe？——

Howdoyoudo？MartinCunninghamsaid，raisinghispalmtohisbrowinsalute——

Hedoesn’tseeus，MrPowersaid。Yes，hedoes。Howdoyoudo？——

Who？MrDedalusasked——

BlazesBoylan，MrPowersaid。Thereheisairinghisquiff。

JustthatmomentIwasthinking。

MrDedalusbentacrosstosalute。FromthedooroftheRedBankthewhitediscofastrawhatflashedreply:passed。

MrBloomreviewedthenailsofhislefthand，thenthoseofhisrighthand。Thenails，yes。Isthereanythingmoreinhimthattheyshesees？Fascination。WorstmaninDublin。Thatkeepshimalive。TheysometimesfeelwhatapersonIs。Instinct。Butatypelikethat。Mynails。Iamjustlookingatthem:wellpared。Andafter:thinkingalone。Bodygettingabitsofty。Iwouldnoticethatfromremembering。WhatcausesthatIsupposetheskincan’tcontractquicklyenoughwhenthefleshfallsoff。Buttheshapeisthere。Theshapeistherestill。Shoulders。Hips。Plump。Nightofthedancedressing。Shiftstuckbetweenthecheeksbehind。

Heclaspedhishandsbetweenhiskneesand，satisfied，senthisvacantglanceovertheirfaces。

MrPowerasked:——

Howistheconcerttourgettingon，Bloom？——

Overywell，MrBloomsaid。Iheargreataccountsofit。It’sagoodidea，yousee——

Areyougoingyourself？——

Wellno，MrBloomsaid。InpointoffactIhavetogodowntothecountyClareonsomeprivatebusiness。Youseetheideaistotourthechieftowns。Whatyouloseononeyoucanmakeupontheother——

Quiteso，MartinCunninghamsaid。MaryAndersonisuptherenow——

Haveyougoodartists？——

LouisWerneristouringher，MrBloomsaid。Oyes，we’llhavealltopnobbers。J。C。DoyleandJohnMacCormackIhopeand。Thebest，infact——

AndMadame，MrPowersaid，smiling。butnotleast。

MrBloomunclaspedhishandsinagestureofsoftpolitenessandclaspedthem。SmithO’Brien。Someonehaslaidabunchofflowersthere。Woman。Mustbehisdeathday。Formanyhappyreturns。ThecarriagewheelingbyFarrell’sstatueunitednoiselesslytheirunresistingknees。

Oot:adullgarbedoldmanfromthecurbstonetenderedhiswares，hismouthopening:oot——

Fourbootlacesforapenny。

Wonderwhyhewasstruckofftherolls。HadhisofficeinHumestreet。SamehouseasMolly’snamesake。Tweedy，crownsolicitorforWaterford。Hasthatsilkhateversince。Relicsofolddecency。Mourningtoo。Terriblecomedown，poorwretch！kickedaboutlikesnuffatawake。O’Callaghanonhislastlegs。

AndMadame。Twentypasteleven。Up。MrsFlemingisintoclean。Doingherhair，humming:voglioenonvorrei。No:vorreienon。Lookingatthetipsofherhairstoseeiftheyaresplit。Mitremaunpocoil。Beautifulonthattrehervoiceis:weepingtone。Athrust。Athrostle。Thereisawordthrostlethatexpressedthat。

HiseyespassedlightlyoverMrPower’sgoodlookingface。Greyishovertheears。Madame:smiling。Ismiledback。Asmiledoesalongway。Onlypolitenessperhaps。Nicefellow。Whoknowsisthattrueaboutthewomanhekeeps？Notpleasantforthewife。Yettheysay，whowasittoldme，thereisnocarnal。Youwouldimaginethatwouldgetplayedoutprettyquick。Yes，itwasCroftonmethimoneeveningbringingherapoundofrumpsteak。Whatisthisshewas？BarmaidinJury’s。OrtheMoira，wasit？

TheypassedunderthehugecloakedLiberator’sform。

MartinCunninghamnudgedMrPower——

OfthetribeofReuben，hesaid。

Atallblackbeardedfigure，bentonastick，stumpingroundthecornerofElvery’selephanthouseshowedthemacurvedhandopenonhisspine——

Inallhispristinebeauty，MrPowersaid。

MrDedaluslookedafterthestumpingfigureandsaidmildly:——

Thedevilbreakthehaspofyourback！

MrPower，collapsinginlaughter，shadedhisfacefromthewindowasthecarriagepassedGray’sstatue——

Wehaveallbeenthere，MartinCunninghamsaidbroadly。

HiseyesmetMrBloom’seyes。Hecaressedhisbeard，adding:——

Well，nearlyallofus。

MrBloombegantospeakwithsuddeneagernesstohiscompanions’faces——That’sanawfullygoodonethat’sgoingtheroundsaboutReubenJ。andtheson——

Abouttheboatman？MrPowerasked——

Yes。Isn’titawfullygood？——

Whatisthat？MrDedalusasked。Ididn’thearit——

Therewasagirlinthecase，MrBloombegan，andhedeterminedtosendhimtotheisleofManoutofharm’swaybutwhentheywereboth——

What？MrDedalusasked。Thatconfirmedbloodyhobbledehoyisit？——

Yes，MrBloomsaid。Theywerebothonthewaytotheboatandhetriedtodrown——

DrownBarabbas！MrDedaluscried。IwishtoChristhedid！

MrPowersentalonglaughdownhisshadednostrils——

No，MrBloomsaidthesonhimself……

MartinCunninghamthwartedhisspeechrudely——

ReubenJ。andthesonwerepikingitdownthequaynexttheriverontheirwaytotheisleofManboatandtheyoungchisellersuddenlygotlooseandoverthewallwithhimintotheLiffey——

ForGod’ssake！MrDedalusexclaimedinfright。Ishedead？——

Dead！MartinCunninghamcried。Nothe！Aboatmangotapoleandfishedhimoutbytheslackofthebreechesandhewaslandeduptothefatheronthequay。Moredeadthanalive。Halfthetownwasthere——

Yes，MrBloomsaid。Butthefunnypartis——

AndReubenJ。，MartinCunninghamsaid，gavetheboatmanaflorinforsavinghisson’slife。

AstifledsighcamefromunderMrPower’shand——

O，hedid，MartinCunninghamaffirmed。Likeahero。Asilverflorin——

Isn’titawfullygood？MrBloomsaideagerly——

Oneandeightpencetoomuch，MrDedalussaiddrily。MrPower’schokedlaughburstquietlyinthecarriage。Nelson’spillar——

Eightplumsapenny！Eightforapenny！——

Wehadbetterlookalittleserious，MartinCunninghamsaid。

MrDedalussighed——

Andthenindeed，hesaid，poorlittlePaddywouldn’tgrudgeusalaugh。Manyagoodonehetoldhimself——

TheLordforgiveme！MrPowersaid，wipinghisweteyeswithhisfingers。PoorPaddy！IlittlethoughtaweekagowhenIsawhimlastandhewasinhisusualhealththatI’dbedrivingafterhimlikethis。He’sgonefromus——

Asdecentalittlemanaseverworeahat，MrDedalussaid。Hewentverysuddenly——

Breakdown，MartinCunninghamsaid。Heart。

Hetappedhischestsadly。

Blazingface:redhot。ToomuchJohnBarleycorn。Cureforarednose。Drinklikethedeviltillitturnsadelite。Alotofmoneyhespentcolouringit。

MrPowergazedatthepassinghouseswithruefulapprehension——

Hehadasuddendeath，poorfellow，hesaid——

Thebestdeath，MrBloomsaid。

Theirwideopeneyeslookedathim——

Nosuffering，hesaid。Amomentandallisover。Likedyinginsleep。

No-onespoke。

Deadsideofthestreetthis。Dullbusinessbyday，landagents，temperancehotel，Falconer’srailwayguide，civilservicecollege，Gill’s，catholicclub，theindustriousblind。Why？Somereason。Sunorwind。Atnighttoo。Chummiesandslaveys。UnderthepatronageofthelateFatherMathew。FoundationstoneforParnell。Breakdown。Heart。

WhitehorseswithwhitefrontletplumescameroundtheRotundacorner，galloping。Atinycoffinflashedby。Inahurrytobury。Amourningcoach。Unmarried。Blackforthemarried。Piebaldforbachelors。Dunforanun——

Sad，MartinCunninghamsaid。Achild。

Adwarf’sfacemauveandwrinkledlikelittleRudy’swas。Dwarf’sbody，weakasputty，inawhitelineddealbox。Burialfriendlysocietypays。Pennyaweekforasodofturf。Our。Little。Beggar。Baby。Meantnothing。Mistakeofnature。Ifit’shealthyit’sfromthemother。Ifnottheman。Betterlucknexttime——

Poorlittlething，MrDedalussaid。It’swelloutofit。

ThecarriageclimbedmoreslowlythehillofRutlandsquare。Rattlehisbones。Overthestones。Onlyapauper。Nobodyowns——

Inthemidstoflife，MartinCunninghamsaid——

Buttheworstofall，MrPowersaid，isthemanwhotakeshisownlife。

MartinCunninghamdrewouthiswatchbriskly，coughedandputitback——

Thegreatestdisgracetohaveinthefamily，MrPoweradded——

Temporaryinsanity，ofcourse，MartinCunninghamsaiddecisively。Wemusttakeacharitableviewofit——

Theysayamanwhodoesitisacoward，MrDedalussaid——

Itisnotforustojudge，MartinCunninghamsaid。

MrBloom，abouttospeak，closedhislipsagain。MartinCunningham’slargeeyes。Lookingawaynow。Sympathetichumanmanheis。Intelligent。LikeShakespeare’sface。Alwaysagoodwordtosay。Theyhavenomercyonthathereorinfanticide。Refusechristianburial。Theyusedtodriveastakeofwoodthroughhisheartinthegrave。Asifitwasn’tbrokenalready。Yetsometimestheyrepenttoolate。Foundintheriverbedclutchingrushes。Helookedatme。Andthatawfuldrunkardofawifeofhis。SettinguphouseforhertimeaftertimeandthenpawningthefurnitureonhimeverySaturdayalmost。Leadinghimthelifeofthedamned。Weartheheartoutofastone，that。Mondaymorningstartafresh。Shouldertothewheel。Lord，shemusthavelookedasightthatnight，Dedalustoldmehewasinthere。DrunkabouttheplaceandcaperingwithMartin’sumbrella:

AndtheycallmethejewelofAsia，

OfAsia，

Thegeisha。

Helookedawayfromme。Heknows。Rattlehisbones。

Thatafternoonoftheinquest。Theredlabelledbottleonthetable。Theroominthehotelwithhuntingpictures。Stuffyitwas。SunlightthroughtheslatsoftheVenetianblinds。Thecoroner’sears，bigandhairy。Bootsgivingevidence。Thoughthewasasleepfirst。Thensawlikeyellowstreaksonhisface。Hadslippeddowntothefootofthebed。Verdict:overdose。Deathbymisadventure。Theletter。FormysonLeopold。

Nomorepain。Wakenomore。Nobodyowns。

ThecarriagerattledswiftlyalongBlessingtonstreet。Overthestones——

Wearegoingthepace，Ithink，MartinCunninghamsaid——

Godgranthedoesn’tupsetusontheroad，MrPowersaid——

Ihopenot，MartinCunninghamsaid。ThatwillbeagreatracetomorrowinGermany。TheGordonBennett——

Yes，byJove，MrDedalussaid。Thatwillbeworthseeing，faith。

AstheyturnedintoBerkeleystreetastreetorganneartheBasinsentoverandafterthemarollickingrattlingsongofthehalls。HasanybodyhereseenKelly？Kayeedoubleellwy。DeadmarchfromSaul。He’sasbadasoldAntonio。Heleftmeonmyownio。Pirouette！TheMaterMisericordiae。Ecclesstreet。Myhousedownthere。Bigplace。Wardforincurablesthere。Veryencouraging。OurLady’sHospiceforthedying。Deadhousehandyunderneath。WhereoldMrsRiordandied。Theylookterriblethewomen。Herfeedingcupandrubbinghermouthwiththespoon。Thenthescreenroundherbedforhertodie。Niceyoungstudentthatwasdressedthatbitethebeegaveme。He’sgoneovertothelying-inhospitaltheytoldme。Fromoneextremetotheother。

Thecarriagegallopedroundacorner:stopped——

What’swrongnow？

Adivideddroveofbrandedcattlepassedthewindows，lowing，slouchingbyonpaddedhoofs，whiskingtheirtailsslowlyontheirclottedbonycroups。Outsidethemandthroughthemranraddledsheepbleatingtheirfear——

Emigrants，MrPowersaid——

Huuuh！thedrover’svoicecried，hisswitchsoundingontheirflanks。Huuuh！Outofthat！

Thursdayofcourse。Tomorrowiskillingday。Springers。Cuffesoldthemabouttwentysevenquideach。ForLiverpoolprobably。RoastbeefforoldEngland。Theybuyupallthejuicyones。Andthenthefifthquarterislost:allthatrawstuff，hide，hair，horns。Comestoabigthinginayear。Deadmeattrade。Byproductsoftheslaughterhousesfortanneries，soap，margarine。WonderifthatdodgeworksnowgettingdickymeatoffthetrainatClonsilla。

Thecarriagemovedonthroughthedrove——

Ican’tmakeoutwhythecorporationdoesn’trunatramlinefromtheparkgatetothequays，MrBloomsaid。Allthoseanimalscouldbetakenintrucksdowntotheboats——

Insteadofblockingupthethoroughfare，MartinCunninghamsaid。Quiteright。Theyoughtto——

Yes，MrBloomsaid，andanotherthingIoftenthoughtistohavemunicipalfuneraltramsliketheyhaveinMilan，youknow。Runthelineouttothecemeterygatesandhavespecialtrams，hearseandcarriageandall。Don’tyouseewhatImean？——

Othatbedamnedforastory，MrDedalussaid。Pullmancarandsaloondiningroom——

ApoorlookoutforCorny，MrPoweradded——

Why？MrBloomasked，turningtoMrDedalus。Wouldn’titbemoredecentthangallopingtwoabreast？——

Well，there’ssomethinginthat，MrDedalusgranted——

And，MartinCunninghamsaid，wewouldn’thavesceneslikethatwhenthehearsecapsizedroundDunphy’sandupsetthecoffinontotheroad——

Thatwasterrible，MrPower’sshockedfacesaid，andthecorpsefellabouttheroad。Terrible！——

FirstroundDunphy’s，MrDedalusaid，nodding。GordonBennettcup——

PraisesbetoGod！MartinCunninghamsaidpiously。

Bom！Upset。Acoffinbumpedoutontotheroad。Burstopen。PaddyDignamshotoutandrollingoverstiffinthedustinabrownhabittoolargeforhim。Redface:greynow。Mouthfallenopen。Askingwhat’supnow。Quiterighttocloseit。Lookshorridopen。Thentheinsidesdecomposequickly。Muchbettertocloseupalltheorifices。Yes，also。Withwax。Thesphincterloose。Sealupall——

Dunphy’s，MrPowerannouncedasthecarriageturnedright。

Dunphy’scorner。Mourningcoachesdrawnupdrowningtheirgrief。Apausebythewayside。Tiptoppositionforapub。Expectwe’llpulluphereonthewaybacktodrinkhishealth。Passroundtheconsolation。Elixiroflife。

Butsupposenowitdidhappen。Wouldhebleedifanailsaycuthimintheknockingabout？Hewouldandhewouldn’t，Isuppose。Dependsonwhere。Thecirculationstops。Stillsomemightoozeoutofanartery。Itwouldbebettertoburytheminred:adarkred。

InsilencetheydrovealongPhibsboroughroad。Anemptyhearsetrottedby，comingfromthecemetery:looksrelieved。

Crossgunsbridge:theroyalcanal。

Waterrushedroaringthroughthesluices。Amanstoodonhisdroppingbargebetweenclampsofturf。Onthetowpathbythelockaslacktetheredhorse。AboardoftheBugabu。

Theireyeswatchedhim。OntheslowweedywaterwayhehadfloatedonhisraftcoastwardoverIrelanddrawnbyahaulageropepastbedsofreeds，overslime，mud-chokedbottles，carriondogs。Athlone，Mullingar，Moyvalley，IcouldmakeawalkingtourtoseeMillybythecanal。Orcycledown。Hiresomeoldcrock，safety。Wrenhadonetheotherdayattheauctionbutalady’s。Developingwaterways。JamesM’Cann’shobbytorowmeo’ertheferry。Cheapertransit。Byeasystages。Houseboats。Campingout。Alsohearses。Toheavenbywater。PerhapsIwillwithoutwriting。Comeasasurprise，Leixlip，Clonsilla。Droppingdown，lockbylocktoDublin。Withturffromthemidlandbogs。Salute。Heliftedhisbrownstrawhat，salutingPaddyDignam。

TheydroveonpastBrianBoroimhehouse。Nearitnow——

IwonderhowisourfriendFogartygettingon，MrPowersaid——

BetteraskTomKernan，MrDedalussaid——

Howisthat？MartinCunninghamsaid。LefthimweepingIsuppose——

Thoughlosttosight，MrDedalussaid，tomemorydear。

ThecarriagesteeredleftforFinglasroad。

Thestonecutter’syardontheright。lap。Crowdedonthespitoflandsilentshapesappeared，white，sorrowful，holdingoutcalmhands，kneltingrief，pointing。Fragmentsofshapes，hewn。Inwhitesilence:appealing。Thebestobtainable。Thos。H。Dennany，monumentalbuilderandsculptor。

Passed。

OnthecurbstonebeforeJimmyGearythesexton’sanoldtrampsat，grumbling，emptyingthedirtandstonesoutofhishugedustbrownyawningboot。Afterlife’sjourney。

Gloomygardensthenwentby，onebyone:gloomyhouses。

MrPowerpointed——

ThatiswhereChildswasmurdered，hesaid。Thelasthouse——

Soitis，MrDedalussaid。Agruesomecase。SeymourBushegothimoff。Murderedhisbrother。Orsotheysaid——

Thecrownhadnoevidence，MrPowersaid——

Onlycircumstantial，MartinCunninghamsaid。That’sthemaximofthelaw。Betterforninetynineguiltytoescapethanforoneinnocentpersontobewrongfullycondemned。

Theylooked。Murderer’sground。Itpasseddarkly。Shuttered，tenantless，unweededgarden。Wholeplacegonetohell。Wrongfullycondemned。Murder。Themurderer’simageintheeyeofthemurdered。Theylovereadingaboutit。Man’sheadfoundinagarden。Herclothingconsistedof。Howshemetherdeath。Recentoutrage。Theweaponused。Murdererisstillatlarge。Clues。Ashoelace。Thebodytobeexhumed。Murderwillout。

Crampedinthiscarriage。Shemightn’tlikemetocomethatwaywithoutlettingherknow。Mustbecarefulaboutwomen。Catchthemoncewiththeirpantsdown。Neverforgiveyouafter。Fifteen。

ThehighrailingsofProspectsrippledpasttheirgaze。Darkpoplars，rarewhiteforms。Formsmorefrequent，whiteshapesthrongedamidthetrees，whiteformsandfragmentsstreamingbymutely，sustainingvaingesturesontheair。

Thefellyharshedagainstthecurbstone:stopped。MartinCunninghamputouthisarmand，wrenchingbackthehandle，shovedthedooropenwithhisknee。Hesteppedout。MrPowerandMrDedalusfollowed。

Changethatsoapnow。MrBloom’shandunbuttonedhishippocketswiftlyandtransferredthepaperstucksoaptohisinnerhandkerchiefpocket。Hesteppedoutofthecarriage，replacingthenewspaperhisotherhandstillheld。

Paltryfuneral:coachandthreecarriages。It’sallthesame。Pallbearers，goldreins，requiemmass，firingavolley。Pompofdeath。Beyondthehindcarriageahawkerstoodbyhisbarrowofcakesandfruit。Simnelcakesthoseare，stucktogether:cakesforthedead。Dogbiscuits。Whoatethem？Mournerscomingout。

Hefollowedhiscompanions。MrKernanandNedLambertfollowed，Hyneswalkingafterthem。CornyKelleherstoodbytheopenedhearseandtookoutthetwowreaths。Hehandedonetotheboy。

Whereisthatchild’sfuneraldisappearedto？

AteamofhorsespassedfromFinglaswithtoilingploddingtread，draggingthroughthefunerealsilenceacreakingwaggononwhichlayagraniteblock。Thewaggonermarchingattheirheadsaluted。

Coffinnow。Gotherebeforeus，deadasheis。Horselookingroundatitwithhisplumeskeowways。Dulleye:collartightonhisneck，pressingonabloodvesselorsomething。Dotheyknowwhattheycartouthereeveryday？Mustbetwentyorthirtyfuneralseveryday。ThenMountJeromefortheprotestants。Funeralsallovertheworldeverywhereeveryminute。Shovellingthemunderbythecartloaddoublequick。Thousandseveryhour。Toomanyintheworld。

Mournerscameoutthroughthegates:womanandagirl。Leanjawedharpy，hardwomanatabargain，herbonnetawry。Girl’sfacestainedwithdirtandtears，holdingthewoman’sarmlookingupatherforasigntocry。Fish’sface，bloodlessandlivid。

Themutesshoulderedthecoffinandboreitinthroughthegates。Somuchdeadweight。Feltheaviermyselfsteppingoutofthatbath。Firstthestiff:thenthefriendsofthestiff。CornyKelleherandtheboyfollowedwiththeirwreaths。Whoisthatbesidethem？Ah，thebrother-in-law。

Allwalkedafter。

MartinCunninghamwhispered:——

IwasinmortalagonywithyoutalkingofsuicidebeforeBloom——

What？MrPowerwhispered。Howso？——

Hisfatherpoisonedhimself，MartinCunninghamwhispered。HadtheQueen’shotelinEnnis。YouheardhimsayhewasgoingtoClare。Anniversary——

OGod！MrPowerwhispered。FirstIheardofit。Poisonedhimself！

Heglancedbehindhimtowhereafacewithdarkthinkingeyesfollowedtowardsthecardinal’smausoleum。Speaking——

Washeinsured？MrBloomasked——

Ibelieveso，MrKernananswered，butthepolicywasheavilymortgaged。MartinistryingtogettheyoungsterintoArtane——

Howmanychildrendidheleave？——

Five。NedLambertsayshe’lltrytogetoneofthegirlsintoTodd’s——

Asadcase，MrBloomsaidgently。Fiveyoungchildren——

Agreatblowtothepoorwife，MrKernanadded——

Indeedyes，MrBloomagreed。

Hasthelaughathimnow。

Helookeddownatthebootshehadblackedandpolished。Shehadoutlivedhim，lostherhusband。Moredeadforherthanforme。Onemustoutlivetheother。Wisemensay。Therearemorewomenthanmenintheworld。Condolewithher。Yourterribleloss。Ihopeyou’llsoonfollowhim。ForHinduwidowsonly。Shewouldmarryanother。Him？No。Yetwhoknowsafter？Widowhoodnotthethingsincetheoldqueendied。Drawnonaguncarriage。VictoriaandAlbert。Frogmorememorialmourning。Butintheendsheputafewvioletsinherbonnet。Vaininherheartofhearts。Allforashadow。Consortnotevenaking。Hersonwasthesubstance。Somethingnewtohopefornotlikethepastshewantedback，waiting。Itnevercomes。Onemustgofirst:aloneundertheground:andlienomoreinherwarmbed——

Howareyou，Simon？NedLambertsaidsoftly，claspinghands。Haven’tseenyouforamonthofSundays——

Neverbetter。HowareallinCork’sowntown？——

IwasdowntherefortheCorkparkracesonEasterMonday，NedLambertsaid。Sameoldsixandeightpence。StoppedwithDickTivy——

AndhowisDick，thesolidman？——

Nothingbetweenhimselfandheaven，NedLambertanswered——

BytheholyPaul！MrDedalussaidinsubduedwonder。DickTivybald？——

Martinisgoingtogetupawhipfortheyoungsters，NedLambertsaid，pointingahead。Afewbobaskull。Justtokeepthemgoingtilltheinsuranceisclearedup——

Yes，yes，MrDedalussaiddubiously。Isthattheeldestboyinfront？——

Yes，NedLambertsaid，withthewife’sbrother。JohnHenryMentonisbehind。Heputdownhisnameforaquid——

I’llengagehedid，MrDedalussaid。IoftentoldpoorPaddyheoughttomindthatjob。JohnHenryisnottheworstintheworld——

Howdidheloseit？NedLambertasked。Liquor，what？——

Manyagoodman’sfault，MrDedalussaidwithasigh。

Theyhaltedaboutthedoorofthemortuarychapel。MrBloomstoodbehindtheboywiththewreath，lookingdownathissleekcombedhairandtheslenderfurrowedneckinsidehisbrandnewcollar。Poorboy！Washetherewhenthefather？Bothunconscious。Lightenupatthelastmomentandrecogniseforthelasttime。Allhemighthavedone。IowethreeshillingstoO’Grady。Wouldheunderstand？Themutesborethecoffinintothechapel。Whichendishishead。

Afteramomenthefollowedtheothersin，blinkinginthescreenedlight。Thecoffinlayonitsbierbeforethechancel，fourtallyellowcandlesatitscorners。Alwaysinfrontofus。CornyKelleher，layingawreathateachforecorner，beckonedtotheboytokneel。Themournersknelthereandthereinprayingdesks。MrBloomstoodbehindnearthefontand，whenallhadkneltdroppedcarefullyhisunfoldednewspaperfromhispocketandknelthisrightkneeuponit。Hefittedhisblackhatgentlyonhisleftkneeand，holdingitsbrim，bentoverpiously。

Aserver，bearingabrassbucketwithsomethinginit，cameoutthroughadoor。Thewhitesmockedpriestcameafterhimtidyinghisstolewithonehand，balancingwiththeotheralittlebookagainsthistoad’sbelly。Who’llreadthebook？I，saidtherook。

Theyhaltedbythebierandthepriestbegantoreadoutofhisbookwithafluentcroak。

FatherCoffey。Iknewhisnamewaslikeacoffin。Dominenamine。Bullyaboutthemuzzlehelooks。Bossestheshow。Muscularchristian。Woebetideanyonethatlookscrookedathim:priest。ThouartPeter。BurstsidewayslikeasheepincloverDedalussayshewill。Withabellyonhimlikeapoisonedpup。Mostamusingexpressionsthatmanfinds。Hhhn:burstsideways——

Nonintresinjudiciumcumservotuo，Domine。

MakesthemfeelmoreimportanttobeprayedoverinLatin。Requiemmass。Crapeweepers。Blackedgednotepaper。Yournameonthealtarlist。Chillyplacethis。Wanttofeedwell，sittinginthereallthemorninginthegloomkickinghisheelswaitingforthenextplease。Eyesofatoadtoo。Whatswellshimupthatway？Mollygetsswelledaftercabbage。Airoftheplacemaybe。Looksfullupofbadgas。Mustbeaninfernallotofbaagasroundtheplace。Butchersforinstance:theygetlikerawbeefsteaks。Whowastellingme？MervynBrown。DowninthevaultsofsaintWerburgh’slovelyoldorganhundredandfiftytheyhavetoboreaholeinthecoffinssometimestoletoutthebadgasandburnit。Outitrushes:blue。Onewhiffofthatandyou’reagoner。

Mykneecapishurtingme。Ow。That’sbetter。

Thepriesttookastickwithaknobattheendofitoutoftheboy’sbucketandshookitoverthecoffin。Thenhewalkedtotheotherendandshookitagain。Thenhecamebackandputitbackinthebucket。Asyouwerebeforeyourested。It’sallwrittendown:hehastodoit——

Etnenosinducasintentationem。

Theserverpipedtheanswersinthetreble。Ioftenthoughtitwouldbebettertohaveboyservants。Uptofifteenorso。Afterthatofcourse。

Holywaterthatwas，Iexpect。Shakingsleepoutofit。Hemustbefedupwiththatjob，shakingthatthingoverallthecorpsestheytrotup。Whatharmifhecouldseewhathewasshakingitover。Everymortaldayafreshbatch:middleagedmen，oldwomen，children，womendeadinchildbirth，menwithbeards，baldheadedbusinessmen，consumptivegirlswithlittlesparrow’sbreasts。Alltheyearroundheprayedthesamethingoverthemalladshookwaterontopofthem:sleep。OnDignamnow——

Inparadisum。

Saidhewasgoingtoparadiseorisinparadise。Saysthatovereverybody。Tiresomekindofajob。Buthehastosaysomething。

Thepriestclosedhisbookandwentoff，followedbytheserver。CornyKelleheropenedthesidedoorsandthegravediggerscamein，hoistedthecoffinagain，carrieditoutandshoveditontheircart。CornyKellehergaveonewreathtotheboyandonetothebrother-in-law。Allfollowedthemoutofthesidedoorsintothemildgreyair。MrBloomcamelast，foldinghispaperagainintohispocket。Hegazedgravelyatthegroundtillthecoffincartwheeledofftotheleft。Themetalwheelsgroundthegravelwithasharpgratingcryandthepackofbluntbootsfollowedthebarrowalongalaneofsepulchres。

ThereetheratheFeetheratheroo。Lord，Imustn’tlilthere——

TheO’Connellcircle，MrDedalussaidabouthim。

MrPower’ssofteyeswentuptotheapexoftheloftycone——

He’satrest，hesaid，inthemiddleofhispeople，oldDanO’。ButhisheartisburiedinRome。Howmanybrokenheartsareburiedhere，Simon！——

Hergraveisoverthere，Jack，MrDedalussaid。I’Ilsoonbestretchedbesideher。LetHimtakemewheneverHelikes。

Breakingdown，hebegantoweeptohimselfquietly，stumblingalittleinhiswalk。MrPowertookhisarm——

She’sbetterwheresheis，hesaidkindly——

Isupposeso，MrDedalussaidwithaweakgasp。Isupposesheisinheavenifthereisaheaven。

CornyKellehersteppedasidefromhisrankandallowedthemournerstoplodby——

Sadoccasions，MrKernanbeganpolitely。

MrBloomclosedhiseyesandsadlytwicebowedhishead——

Theothersareputtingontheirhats，MrKernansaid。Isupposewecandosotoo。Wearethelast。Thiscemeteryisatreacherousplace。

Theycoveredtheirheads——

Thereverendgentlemanreadtheservicetooquickly，don’tyouthink？MrKernansaidwithreproof。

MrBloomnoddedgravely，lookinginthequickbloodshoteyes。Secreteyes，secretsearchingeyes。Mason，Ithink:notsure。Besidehimagain。Wearethelast。Inthesameboat。Hopehe’llsaysomethingelse。

MrKernanadded:——

TheserviceoftheIrishchurch，usedinMountJerome，issimpler，moreimpressive，Imustsay。

MrBloomgaveprudentassent。Thelanguageofcoursewasanotherthing。

MrKernansaidwithsolemnity:——

Iamtheresurrectionandthelife。Thattouchesaman’sinmostheart——

Itdoes，MrBloomsaid。

Yourheartperhapsbutwhatpricethefellowinthesixfeetbytwowithhistoestothedaisies？Notouchingthat。Seatoftheaffections。Brokenheart。Apumpafterall，pumpingthousandsofgallonsofbloodeveryday。Onefinedayitgetsbungedupandthereyouare。Lotsofthemlyingaroundhere:lungs，hearts，livers。Oldrustypumps:damnthethingelse。Theresurrectionandthelife。Onceyouaredeadyouaredead。Thatlastdayidea。Knockingthemallupoutoftheirgraves。Comeforth，Lazarus！Andhecamefifthandlostthejob。Getup！day！Theneveryfellowmousingaroundforhisliverandhislightsandtherestofhistraps。Finddamnallofhimselfthatmorning。Pennyweightofpowderinaskull。Twelvegrammesonepennyweight。Troymeasure。

CornyKelleherfellintostepattheirside——

EverythingwentoffA1，hesaid。What？

Helookedonthemfromhisdrawlingeye。Policeman’sshoulders。Withyourtooraloomtooraloom——

Asitshouldbe，MrKernansaid——

What？Eh？CornyKellehersaid。

MrKernanassuredhim——

WhoisthatchapbehindwithTomKernan？JohnHenryMentonasked。Iknowhisface。

NedLambertglancedback——

Bloom，hesaid，MadamMarionTweedythatwas，is，Imean，thesoprano。She’shiswife——

O，tobesure，JohnHenryMentonsaid。Ihaven’tseenherforsometime。Shewasafinelookingwoman。Idancedwithher，wait，fifteenseventeengoldenyearsago，atMatDillon’s，inRoundtown。Andagoodarmfulshewas。

Helookedbehindthroughtheothers——

Whatishe？heasked。Whatdoeshedo？Wasn’theinthestationeryline？Ifellfoulofhimoneevening，Iremember，atbowls。

NedLambertsmiled——

Yes，hewas，hesaid，inWisdomHely’s。Atravellerforblottingpaper——

InGod’sname，JohnHenryMentonsaid，whatdidshemarryacoonlikethatfor？Shehadplentyofgameinherthen——

Hasstill，NedLambertsaid。Hedoessomecanvassingforads。

JohnHenryMenton’slargeeyesstaredahead。

Thebarrowturnedintoasidelane。Aportlyman，ambushedamongthegrasses，raisedhishatinhomage。Thegravediggerstouchedtheircaps——

JohnO’Connell，MrPowersaid，pleased。Heneverforgetsafriend。

MrO’Connellshookalltheirhandsinsilence。MrDedalussaid:——

Iamcometopayyouanothervisit——

MydearSimon，thecaretakeransweredinalowvoice。Idon’twantyourcustomatall。

SalutingNedLambertandJohnHenryMentonhewalkedonatMartinCunningham’sside，puzzlingtwokeysathisback——

Didyouhearthatone，heaskedthem，aboutMulcahyfromtheCoombe？——

Ididnot，MartinCunninghamsaid。

TheybenttheirsilkhatsinconcertandHynesinclinedhisear。Thecaretakerhunghisthumbsintheloopsofhisgoldwatchchainandspokeinadiscreettonetotheirvacantsmiles——

Theytellthestory，hesaid，thattwodrunkscameouthereonefoggyeveningtolookforthegraveofafriendoftheirs。TheyaskedforMulcahyfromtheCoombeandweretoldwherehewasburied。Aftertraipsingaboutinthefogtheyfoundthegrave，sureenough。Oneofthedrunksspeltoutthename:TerenceMulcahy。TheotherdrunkwasblinkingupatastatueofourSaviourthewidowhadgotputup。

Thecaretakerblinkedupatoneofthesepulchrestheypassed。Heresumed:——

And，afterblinkingupatthesacredfigure，Notabloodybitliketheman，sayshe。That’snotMulcahy，sayshe，whoeverdoneit。

RewardedbysmileshefellbackandspokewithCornyKelleher，acceptingthedocketsgivenhim，turningthemoverandscanningthemashewalked——

That’salldonewithapurpose，MartinCunninghamexplainedtoHynes——

Iknow，Hynessaid，Iknowthat——

Tocheerafellowup，MartinCunninghamsaid。It’spuregoodheartedness:damnthethingelse。