第13章

—— Tryingtorefinethemalsooutofexistence，saidLynch。

Afinerainbegantofallfromthehighveiledskyandtheyturnedintotheduke"slawntoreachthenationallibrarybeforetheshowercame——

Whatdoyoumean，Lynchaskedsurlily，bypratingaboutbeautyandtheimaginationinthismiserableGodforsakenisland？Nowondertheartistretiredwithinorbehindhishandiworkafterhavingperpetratedthiscountry。

Therainfellfaster。WhentheypassedthroughthepassagebesideKildarehousetheyfoundmanystudentsshelteringunderthearcadeofthelibrary。

Cranly，leaningagainstapillar，waspickinghisteethwithasharpenedmatch，listeningtosomecompanions。Somegirlsstoodneartheentrancedoor。LynchwhisperedtoStephen:——

Yourbelovedishere。

Stephentookhisplacesilentlyonthestepbelowthegroupofstudents，heedlessoftherainwhichfellfast，turninghiseyestowardsherfromtimetotime。Shetoostoodsilentlyamonghercompanions。Shehasnopriesttoflirtwith，hethoughtwithconsciousbitterness，rememberinghowhehadseenherlast。Lynchwasright。Hismindemptiedoftheoryandcourage，lapsedbackintoalistlesspeace。

Heheardthestudentstalkingamongthemselves。Theyspokeoftwofriendswhohadpassedthefinalmedicalexamination，ofthechancesofgettingplacesonoceanliners，ofpoorandrichpractices——

That"sallabubble。AnIrishcountrypracticeisbetter——

HyneswastwoyearsinLiverpoolandhesaysthesame。Afrightfulholehesaiditwas。Nothingbutmidwiferycases——

Doyoumeantosayitisbettertohaveajobhereinthecountrythaninarichcitylikethat？Iknowafellow——

Hyneshasnobrains。Hegotthroughbystewing，purestewing——

Don"tmindhim。There"splentyofmoneytobemadeinabigcommercialCity——

Dependsonthepractice——

Egocredoutvitapauperumestsimpliciteratrox，simplicitersanguinariusatrox，inLiverpoolio。

Theirvoicesreachedhisearsasiffromadistanceininterruptedpulsation。

Shewaspreparingtogoawaywithhercompanions。

Thequicklightshowerhaddrawnoff，tarryinginclustersofdiamondsamongtheshrubsofthequadranglewhereanexhalationwasbreathedforthbytheblackenedearth。Theirtrimbootsprattledastheystoodonthestepsofthecolonnade，talkingquietlyandgaily，glancingattheclouds，holdingtheirumbrellasatcunninganglesagainstthefewlastraindrops，closingthemagain，holdingtheirskirtsdemurely。

Andifhehadjudgedherharshly？Ifherlifewereasimplerosaryofhours，herlifesimpleandstrangeasabird"slife，gayinthemorning，restlessallday，tiredatsundown？Herheartsimpleandwilfulasabird"sheart？

Towardsdawnheawoke。Owhatsweetmusic!Hissoulwasalldewywet。

Overhislimbsinsleeppalecoolwavesoflighthadpassed。Helaystill，asifhissoullayamidcoolwaters，consciousoffaintsweetmusic。Hismindwaswakingslowlytoatremulousmorningknowledge，amorninginspiration。

Aspiritfilledhim，pureasthepurestwater，sweetasdew，movingasmusic。Buthowfaintlyitwasinbreathed，howpassionlessly，asiftheseraphimthemselveswerebreathinguponhim!Hissoulwaswakingslowly，fearingtoawakewholly。Itwasthatwindlesshourofdawnwhenmadnesswakesandstrangeplantsopentothelightandthemothfliesforthsilently。

Anenchantmentoftheheart!Thenighthadbeenenchanted。Inadreamorvisionhehadknowntheecstasyofseraphiclife。Wasitaninstantofenchantmentonlyorlonghoursandyearsandages？

Theinstantofinspirationseemednowtobereflectedfromallsidesatoncefromamultitudeofcloudycircumstancesofwhathadhappenedorofwhatmighthavehappened。Theinstantflashedforthlikeapointoflightandnowfromcloudoncloudofvaguecircumstanceconfusedformwasveilingsoftlyitsafterglow。O!Inthevirginwomboftheimaginationthewordwasmadeflesh。Gabrieltheseraphhadcometothevirgin"schamber。

Anafterglowdeepenedwithinhisspirit，whencethewhiteflamehadpassed，deepeningtoaroseandardentlight。Thatroseandardentlightwasherstrangewilfulheart，strangethatnomanhadknownorwouldknow，wilfulfrombeforethebeginningoftheworld；andluredbythatardentrose-likeglowthechoirsoftheseraphimwerefallingfromheaven。Areyounotwearyofardentways，Lureofthefallenseraphim？

Tellnomoreofenchanteddays。Theversespassedfromhismindtohislipsand，murmuringthemover，hefelttherhythmicmovementofavillanellepassthroughthem。Therose-likeglowsentforthitsraysofrhyme；ways，days，blaze，praise，raise。Itsraysburneduptheworld，consumedtheheartsofmenandangels:theraysfromtherosethatwasherwilfulheart。Youreyeshavesetman"sheartablazeAndyouhavehadyourwillofhim。

Areyounotwearyofardentways？Andthen？Therhythmdiedaway，ceased，beganagaintomoveandbeat。Andthen？Smoke，incenseascendingfromthealtaroftheworld。AbovetheflamethesmokeofpraiseGoesupfromoceanrimtorimTellnomoreofenchanteddays。Smokewentupfromthewholeearth，fromthevapouryoceans，smokeofherpraise。Theearthwaslikeaswingingswayingcenser，aballofincense，anellipsoidalfall。Therhythmdiedoutatonce；thecryofhisheartwasbroken。Hislipsbegantomurmurthefirstversesoverandover；thenwentonstumblingthroughhalfverses，stammeringandbaffled；thenstopped。

Theheart"scrywasbroken。

Theveiledwindlesshourhadpassedandbehindthepanesofthenakedwindowthemorninglightwasgathering。Abellbeatfaintlyveryfaraway。

Abirdtwittered；twobirds，three。Thebellandthebirdceased；andthedullwhitelightspreaditselfeastandwest，coveringtheworld，coveringtheroselightinhisheart。

Fearingtoloseall，heraisedhimselfsuddenlyonhiselbowtolookforpaperandpencil。Therewasneitheronthetable；onlythesoupplatehehadeatenthericefromforsupperandthecandlestickwithitstendrilsoftallowanditspapersocket，singedbythelastflame。Hestretchedhisarmwearilytowardsthefootofthebed，gropingwithhishandinthepocketsofthecoatthathungthere。Hisfingersfoundapencilandthenacigarettepacket。Helaybackand，tearingopenthepacket，placedthelastcigaretteonthewindowledgeandbegantowriteoutthestanzasofthevillanelleinsmallneatlettersontheroughcardboardsurface。

Havingwrittenthemouthelaybackonthelumpypillow，murmuringthemagain。Thelumpsofknottedflockunderhisheadremindedhimofthelumpsofknottedhorsehairinthesofaofherparlouronwhichheusedtosit，smilingorserious，askinghimselfwhyhehadcome，displeasedwithherandwithhimself，confoundedbytheprintoftheSacredHeartabovetheuntenantedsideboard。Hesawherapproachhiminalullofthetalkandbeghimtosingoneofhiscurioussongs。Thenhesawhimselfsittingattheoldpiano，strikingchordssoftlyfromitsspeckledkeysandsinging，amidthetalkwhichhadrisenagainintheroom，toherwholeanedbesidethemantelpieceadaintysongoftheElizabethans，asadandsweetlothtodepart，thevictorychantofAgincourt，thehappyairofGreensleeves。

Whilehesangandshelistened，orfeignedtolisten，hisheartwasatrestbutwhenthequaintoldsongshadendedandheheardagainthevoicesintheroomherememberedhisownsarcasm:thehousewhereyoungmenarecalledbytheirchristiannamesalittletoosoon。

Atcertaininstantshereyesseemedabouttotrusthimbuthehadwaitedinvain。Shepassednowdancinglightlyacrosshismemoryasshehadbeenthatnightatthecarnivalball，herwhitedressalittlelifted，awhitespraynoddinginherhair。Shedancedlightlyintheround。Shewasdancingtowardshimand，asshecame，hereyeswerealittleavertedandafaintglowwasonhercheek。Atthepauseinthechainofhandsherhandhadlaininhisaninstant，asoftmerchandise——

Youareagreatstrangernow——

Yes。Iwasborntobeamonk——

Iamafraidyouareaheretic——

Areyoumuchafraid？

Foranswershehaddancedawayfromhimalongthechainofhands，dancinglightlyanddiscreetly，givingherselftonone。Thewhitespraynoddedtoherdancingandwhenshewasinshadowtheglowwasdeeperonhercheek。

Amonk!Hisownimagestartedforthaprofanerofthecloister，ahereticfranciscan，willingandwillingnottoserve，spinninglikeGherardinodaBorgoSanDonnino，alithewebofsophistryandwhisperinginherear。

No，itwasnothisimage。Itwasliketheimageoftheyoungpriestinwhosecompanyhehadseenherlast，lookingathimoutofdove"seyes，toyingwiththepagesofherIrishphrase-book——

Yes，yes，theladiesarecomingroundtous。Icanseeiteveryday。

Theladiesarewithus。Thebesthelpersthelanguagehas——

Andthechurch，FatherMoran？——

Thechurchtoo。Comingroundtoo。Theworkisgoingaheadtheretoo。

Don"tfretaboutthechurch。

Bah!hehaddonewelltoleavetheroomindisdain。Hehaddonewellnottosaluteheronthestepsofthelibrary!Hehaddonewelltoleavehertoflirtwithherpriest，totoywithachurchwhichwasthescullery-maidofchristendom。

Rudebrutalangerroutedthelastlingeringinstantofecstasyfromhissoul。Itbrokeupviolentlyherfairimageandflungthefragmentsonallsides。Onallsidesdistortedreflectionsofherimagestartedfromhismemory:theflowergirlintheraggeddresswithdampcoarsehairandahoyden"sfacewhohadcalledherselfhisowngirlandbeggedhishandsel，thekitchen-girlinthenexthousewhosangovertheclatterofherplates，withthedrawlofacountrysinger，thefirstbarsofByKillarney"sLakesandFells，agirlwhohadlaughedgailytoseehimstumblewhentheirongratingin0thefootpathnearCorkHillhadcaughtthebrokensoleofhisshoe，agirlhehadglancedat，attractedbyhersmallripemouth，asshepassedoutofJacob"sbiscuitfactory，whohadcriedtohimoverhershoulder:——

Doyoulikewhatyouseenofme，straighthairandcurlyeyebrows？

Andyethefeltthat，howeverhemightrevileandmockherimage，hisangerwasalsoaformofhomage。Hehadlefttheclassroomindisdainthatwasnotwhollysincere，feelingthatperhapsthesecretofherracelaybehindthosedarkeyesuponwhichherlonglashesflungaquickshadow。

Hehadtoldhimselfbitterlyashewalkedthroughthestreetsthatshewasafigureofthewomanhoodofhercountry，abat-likesoulwakingtotheconsciousnessofitselfindarknessandsecrecyandloneliness，tarryingawhile，lovelessandsinless，withhermildloverandleavinghimtowhisperofinnocenttransgressionsinthelatticedearofapriest。Hisangeragainstherfoundventincoarserailingatherparamour，whosenameandvoiceandfeaturesoffendedhisbaffledpride:apriestedpeasant，withabrotherapolicemaninDublinandabrotherapotboyinMoycullen。Tohimshewouldunveilhersoul"sshynakedness，toonewhowasbutschooledinthedischargingofaformalriteratherthantohim，apriestoftheeternalimagination，transmutingthedailybreadofexperienceintotheradiantbodyofeverlivinglife。

Theradiantimageoftheeucharistunitedagaininaninstanthisbitteranddespairingthoughts，theircriesarisingunbrokeninahymnofthanksgiving。OurbrokencriesandmournfullaysRiseinoneeucharistichymnAreyounotwearyofardentways？

WhilesacrificinghandsupraiseThechaliceflowingtothebrim。

Tellnomoreofenchanteddays。Hespoketheversesaloudfromthefirstlinestillthemusicandrhythmsuffusedhismind，turningittoquietindulgence；thencopiedthempainfullytofeelthemthebetterbyseeingthem；thenlaybackonhisbolster。

Thefullmorninglighthadcome。Nosoundwastobeheard；butheknewthatallaroundhimlifewasabouttoawakenincommonnoises，hoarsevoices，sleepyprayers。Shrinkingfromthatlifeheturnedtowardsthewall，makingacowloftheblanketandstaringatthegreatoverblownscarletflowersofthetatteredwallpaper。Hetriedtowarmhisperishingjoyintheirscarletglow，imaginingarosewayfromwherehelayupwardstoheavenallstrewnwithscarletflowers。Weary!Weary!Hetoowaswearyofardentways。

Agradualwarmth，alanguorouswearinesspassedoverhimdescendingalonghisspinefromhiscloselycowledhead。Hefeltitdescendand，seeinghimselfashelay，smiled。Soonhewouldsleep。

Hehadwrittenversesforheragainaftertenyears。Tenyearsbeforeshehadwornhershawlcowlwiseaboutherhead，sendingspraysofherwarmbreathintothenightair，tappingherfootupontheglassyroad。Itwasthelasttram；thelankbrownhorsesknewitandshooktheirbellstotheclearnightinadmonition。Theconductortalkedwiththedriver，bothnoddingofteninthegreenlightofthelamp。Theystoodonthestepsofthetram，heontheupper，sheonthelower。Shecameuptohisstepmanytimesbetweentheirphrasesandwentdownagainandonceortwiceremainedbesidehimforgettingtogodownandthenwentdown。Letbe!Letbe!

Tenyearsfromthatwisdomofchildrentohisfolly。Ifhesenthertheverses？Theywouldbereadoutatbreakfastamidthetappingofegg-shells。

Follyindeed!Herbrotherswouldlaughandtrytowrestthepagefromeachotherwiththeirstronghardfingers。Thesuavepriest，heruncle，seatedinhisarm-chair，wouldholdthepageatarm"slength，readitsmilingandapproveoftheliteraryform。

No，no；thatwasfolly。Evenifhesenthertheversesshewouldnotshowthemtoothers。No，no；shecouldnot。

Hebegantofeelthathehadwrongedher。Asenseofherinnocencemovedhimalmosttopityher，aninnocencehehadneverunderstoodtillhehadcometotheknowledgeofitthroughsin，aninnocencewhichshetoohadnotunderstoodwhileshewasinnocentorbeforethestrangehumiliationofhernaturehadfirstcomeuponher。Thenfirsthersoulhadbeguntoliveashissoulhadwhenhehadfirstsinned，andatendercompassionfilledhisheartasherememberedherfrailpallorandhereyes，humbledandsaddenedbythedarkshameofwomanhood。

Whilehissoulhadpassedfromecstasytolanguorwherehadshebeen？

Mightitbe，inthemysteriouswaysofspirituallife，thathersoulatthosesamemomentshadbeenconsciousofhishomage？Itmightbe。

Aglowofdesirekindledagainhissoulandfiredandfulfilledallhisbody。Consciousofhisdesireshewaswakingfromodoroussleep，thetemptressofhisvillanelle。Hereyes，darkandwithalookoflanguor，wereopeningtohiseyes。Hernakednessyieldedtohim，radiant，warm，odorousandlavish-limbed，enfoldedhimlikeashiningcloud，enfoldedhimlikewaterwithaliquidlife；andlikeacloudofvapourorlikewaterscircumfluentinspacetheliquidlettersofspeech，symbolsoftheelementofmystery，flowedforthoverhisbrain。Areyounotwearyofardentways，Lureofthefallenseraphim？

Tellnomoreofenchanteddays。

Youreyeshavesetman"sheartablazeAndyouhavehadyourwillofhim。

Areyounotwearyofardentways？

AbovetheflamethesmokeofpraiseGoesupfromoceanrimtorim。

Tellnomoreofenchanteddays。

OurbrokencriesandmournfullaysRiseinoneeucharistichymn。

Areyounotwearyofardentways？

WhilesacrificinghandsupraiseThechaliceflowingtothebrim。

Tellnomoreofenchanteddays。

AndstillyouholdourlonginggazeWithlanguorouslookandlavishlimb!

Areyounotwearyofardentways？

Tellnomoreofenchanteddays。Whatbirdswerethey？Hestoodonthestepsofthelibrarytolookatthem，leaningwearilyonhisashplant。TheyflewroundandroundthejuttingshoulderofahouseinMolesworthStreet。TheairofthelateMarcheveningmadecleartheirflight，theirdarkquiveringbodiesflyingclearlyagainsttheskyasagainstalimp-hungclothofsmokytenuousblue。

Hewatchedtheirflight；birdafterbird:adarkflash，aswerve，aflutterofwings。Hetriedtocountthembeforealltheirdartingquiveringbodiespassed:six，ten，eleven:andwonderedweretheyoddoreveninnumber。Twelve，thirteen:fortwocamewheelingdownfromtheuppersky。

Theywereflyinghighandlowbuteverroundandroundinstraightandcurvinglinesandeverflyingfromlefttoright，circlingaboutatempleofair。

Helistenedtothecries:likethesqueakofmicebehindthewainscot:

ashrilltwofoldnote。Butthenoteswerelongandshrillandwhirring，unlikethecryofvermin，fallingathirdorafourthandtrilledastheflyingbeaksclovetheair。Theircrywasshrillandclearandfineandfallinglikethreadsofsilkenlightunwoundfromwhirringspools。

Theinhumanclamoursoothedhisearsinwhichhismother"ssobsandreproachesmurmuredinsistentlyandthedarkfrailquiveringbodieswheelingandflutteringandswervingroundanairytempleofthetenuousskysoothedhiseyeswhichstillsawtheimageofhismother"sface。

Whywashegazingupwardsfromthestepsoftheporch，hearingtheirshrilltwofoldcry，watchingtheirflight？Foranauguryofgoodorevil？

AphraseofCorneliusAgrippaflewthroughhismindandthenthereflewhitherandthithershapelessthoughtsfromSwedenborgonthecorrespondenceofbirdstothingsoftheintellectandofhowthecreaturesoftheairhavetheirknowledgeandknowtheirtimesandseasonsbecausethey，unlikeman，areintheorderoftheirlifeandhavenotpervertedthatorderbyreason。

Andforagesmenhadgazedupwardashewasgazingatbirdsinflight。

Thecolonnadeabovehimmadehimthinkvaguelyofanancienttempleandtheashplantonwhichheleanedwearilyofthecurvedstickofanaugur。

Asenseoffearoftheunknownmovedintheheartofhisweariness，afearofsymbolsandportents，ofthehawk-likemanwhosenameheboresoaringoutofhiscaptivityonosier-wovenwings，ofThoth，thegodofwriters，writingwithareeduponatabletandbearingonhisnarrowibisheadthecuspedmoon。

Hesmiledashethoughtofthegod"simageforitmadehimthinkofabottle-nosedjudgeinawig，puttingcommasintoadocumentwhichheheldatarm"slength，andheknewthathewouldnothaverememberedthegod"snamebutthatitwaslikeanIrishoath。Itwasfolly。Butwasitforthisfollythathewasabouttoleaveforeverthehouseofprayerandprudenceintowhichhehadbeenbornandtheorderoflifeoutofwhichhehadcome？

Theycamebackwithshrillcriesoverthejuttingshoulderofthehouse，flyingdarklyagainstthefadingair。Whatbirdswerethey？Hethoughtthattheymustbeswallowswhohadcomebackfromthesouth。Thenhewastogoawayfortheywerebirdsevergoingandcoming，buildingeveranunlastinghomeundertheeavesofmen"shousesandeverleavingthehomestheyhadbuilttowander。Benddownyourfaces，OonaandAleel。

IgazeuponthemastheswallowgazesUponthenestundertheeavebeforeHewandertheloudwaters。Asoftliquidjoylikethenoiseofmanywatersflowedoverhismemoryandhefeltinhisheartthesoftpeaceofsilentspacesoffadingtenuousskyabovethewaters，ofoceanicsilence，ofswallowsflyingthroughthesea-duskovertheflowingwaters。

Asoftliquidjoyflowedthroughthewordswherethesoftlongvowelshurtlednoiselesslyandfellaway，lappingandflowingbackandevershakingthewhitebellsoftheirwavesinmutechimeandmutepeal，andsoftlowswooningcry；andhefeltthattheauguryhehadsoughtinthewheelingdartingbirdsandinthepalespaceofskyabovehimhadcomeforthfromhisheartlikeabirdfromaturret，quietlyandswiftly。

Symbolofdepartureorofloneliness？Theversescroonedintheearofhismemorycomposedslowlybeforehisrememberingeyesthesceneofthehallonthenightoftheopeningofthenationaltheatre。Hewasaloneatthesideofthebalcony，lookingoutofjadedeyesatthecultureofDublinInthestallsandatthetawdryscene-clothsandhumandollsframedbythegarishlampsofthestage。Aburlypolicemansweatedbehindhimandseemedateverymomentabouttoact。Thecatcallsandhissesandmockingcriesraninrudegustsroundthehallfromhisscatteredfellowstudents——

AlibelonIreland!——

MadeinGermany——

Blasphemy!——

Weneversoldourfaith!——

NoIrishwomaneverdidit!——

Wewantnoamateuratheists——

Wewantnobuddingbuddhists。

Asuddenswifthissfellfromthewindowsabovehimandheknewthattheelectriclampshadbeenswitchedoninthereader"sroom。Heturnedintothepillaredhall，nowcalmlylit，wentupthestaircaseandpassedinthroughtheclickingturnstile。

Cranlywassittingovernearthedictionaries。Athickbook，openedatthefrontispiece，laybeforehimonthewoodenrest。Heleanedbackinhischair，inclininghisearlikethatofaconfessortothefaceofthemedicalstudentwhowasreadingtohimaproblemfromthechesspageofajournal。StephensatdownathisrightandthepriestattheothersideofthetableclosedhiscopyofTheTabletwithanangrysnapandstoodup。

Cranlygazedafterhimblandlyandvaguely。Themedicalstudentwentoninasoftervoice:——

Pawntoking"sfourth——

Wehadbettergo，Dixon，saidStepheninwarning。Hehasgonetocomplain。

Dixonfoldedthejournalandrosewithdignity，saying:——

Ourmenretiredingoodorder——

Withgunsandcattle，addedStephen，pointingtothetitlepageofCranly"sbookonwhichwasprintedDiseasesoftheOx。

AstheypassedthroughalaneofthetablesStephensaid:——

Cranly，Iwanttospeaktoyou。

Cranlydidnotanswerorturn。Helaidhisbookonthecounterandpassedout，hiswell-shodfeetsoundingflatlyonthefloor。OnthestaircasehepausedandgazingabsentlyatDixonrepeated:——

Pawntoking"sbloodyfourth——

Putitthatwayifyoulike，Dixonsaid。

Hehadaquiettonelessvoiceandurbanemannersandonafingerofhisplumpcleanhandhedisplayedatmomentsasignetring。

Astheycrossedthehallamanofdwarfishstaturecametowardsthem。

Underthedomeofhistinyhathisunshavenfacebegantosmilewithpleasureandhewasheardtomurmur。Theeyesweremelancholyasthoseofamonkey——

Goodevening，gentlemen，saidthestubble-grownmonkeyishface——

WarmweatherforMarch，saidCranly。Theyhavethewindowsopenupstairs。

Dixonsmiledandturnedhisring。Theblackish，monkey-puckeredfacepurseditshumanmouthwithgentlepleasureanditsvoicepurred:——

DelightfulweatherforMarch。Simplydelightful——

Therearetwoniceyoungladiesupstairs，captain，tiredofwaiting，Dixonsaid。

Cranlysmiledandsaidkindly:——

Thecaptainhasonlyonelove:sirWalterScott。Isn"tthatso，captain？——

Whatareyoureadingnow，captain？Dixonasked。TheBrideofLammermoor？——IloveoldScott，theflexiblelipssaid，Ithinkhewritessomethinglovely。ThereisnowritercantouchsirWalterScott。

Hemovedathinshrunkenbrownhandgentlyintheairintimetohispraiseandhisthinquickeyelidsbeatoftenoverhissadeyes。

SaddertoStephen"searwashisspeech:agenteelaccent，lowandmoist，marredbyerrors，and，listeningtoit，hewonderedwasthestorytrueandwasthethinbloodthatflowedinhisshrunkenframenobleandcomeofanincestuouslove？

Theparktreeswereheavywithrain；andrainfellstillandeverinthelake，lyinggreylikeashield。Agameofswansflewthereandthewaterandtheshorebeneathwerefouledwiththeirgreen-whiteslime。Theyembracedsoftly，-impelledbythegreyrainylight，thewetsilenttrees，theshield-likewitnessinglake，theswans。Theyembracedwithoutjoyorpassion，hisarmabouthissister"sneck。Agreywoollencloakwaswrappedathwartherfromhershouldertoherwaistandherfairheadwasbentinwillingshame。Hehadloosered-brownhairandtendershapelystrongfreckledhands。Face？Therewasnofaceseen。Thebrother"sfacewasbentuponherfairrain-fragranthair。ThehandfreckledandstrongandshapelyandcaressingwasDavin"shand。

Hefrownedangrilyuponhisthoughtandontheshrivelledmannikinwhohadcalleditforth。Hisfather"sjibesattheBantrygangleapedoutofhismemory。Heheldthematadistanceandbroodeduneasilyonhisownthoughtagain。WhyweretheynotCranly"shands？HadDavin"ssimplicityandinnocencestunghimmoresecretly？

HewalkedonacrossthehallwithDixon，leavingCranlytotakeleaveelaboratelyofthedwarf。

UnderthecolonnadeTemplewasstandinginthemidstofalittlegroupofstudents。Oneofthemcried:——

Dixon，comeovertillyouhear。Templeisingrandform。

Templeturnedonhimhisdarkgipsyeyes——

You"reahypocrite，O"Keeffe，hesaid。AndDixonisasmiler。Byhell，Ithinkthat"sagoodliteraryexpression。

Helaughedslyly，lookinginStephen"sface，repeating:——

Byhell，I"mdelightedwiththatname。Asmiler。

Astoutstudentwhostoodbelowthemonthestepssaid:——

Comebacktothemistress，Temple。Wewanttohearaboutthat——

Hehad，faith，Templesaid。Andhewasamarriedmantoo。Andallthepriestsusedtobediningthere。Byhell，Ithinktheyallhadatouch——

Weshallcallitridingahacktosparethehunter，saidDixon——

Tellus，Temple，O"Keeffesaid，howmanyquartsofporterhaveyouinyou？——

Allyourintellectualsoulisinthatphrase，O"Keeffe，saidTemplewithopenscorn。

HemovedwithashamblinggaitroundthegroupandspoketoStephen——

DidyouknowthattheForstersarethekingsofBelgium？heasked。

Cranlycameoutthroughthedooroftheentrancehall，hishatthrustbackonthenapeofhisneckandpickinghisteethwithcare。

Andhere"sthewiseacre，saidTemple。DoyouknowthatabouttheForsters？

Hepausedforananswer。Cranlydislodgedafigseedfromhisteethonthepointofhisrudetoothpickandgazedatitintently——TheForsterfamily，Templesaid，isdescendedfromBaldwintheFirst，kingofFlanders。HewascalledtheForester。ForesterandForsterarethesamename。AdescendantofBaldwintheFirst，captainFrancisForster，settledinIrelandandmarriedthedaughterofthelastchieftainofClanbrassil。

ThentherearetheBlakeForsters。That"sadifferentbranch——

FromBaldhead，kingofFlanders，Cranlyrepeated，rootingagaindeliberatelyathisgleaminguncoveredteeth——

Wheredidyoupickupallthathistory？O"Keeffeasked——

Iknowallthehistoryofyourfamily，too，Templesaid，turningtoStephen。DoyouknowwhatGiraldusCambrensissaysaboutyourfamily？——

IshedescendedfromBaldwintoo？askedatallconsumptivestudentwithdarkeyes——

Baldhead，Cranlyrepeated，suckingatacreviceinhisteeth——

Pernobilisetpervetustafamilia，TemplesaidtoStephen。

Thestoutstudentwhostoodbelowthemonthestepsfartedbriefly。Dixonturnedtowardshim，sayinginasoftvoice:——

Didanangelspeak？

Cranlyturnedalsoandsaidvehementlybutwithoutanger:——

Goggins，you"retheflamingestdirtydevilIevermet，doyouknow——

Ihaditonmymindtosaythat，Gogginsansweredfirmly。Itdidnooneanyharm，didit？——

Wehope，Dixonsaidsuavely，thatitwasnotofthekindknowntoscienceasapaulopostfuturum——

Didn"tItellyouhewasasmiler？saidTemple，turningrightandleft。Didn"tIgivehimthatname？——

Youdid。We"renotdeaf，saidthetallconsumptive。

Cranlystillfrownedatthestoutstudentbelowhim。Then，withasnortofdisgust，heshovedhimviolentlydownthesteps——

Goawayfromhere，hesaidrudely。Goaway，youstinkpot。Andyouareastinkpot。

Gogginsskippeddownontothegravelandatoncereturnedtohisplacewithgoodhumour。TempleturnedbacktoStephenandasked:——

Doyoubelieveinthelawofheredity？——

Areyoudrunkorwhatareyouorwhatareyoutryingtosay？askedCranly，facingroundonhimwithanexpressionofwonder——

Themostprofoundsentenceeverwritten，Templesaidwithenthusiasm，isthesentenceattheendofthezoology。Reproductionisthebeginningofdeath。

HetouchedStephentimidlyattheelbowandsaideagerly:——

Doyoufeelhowprofoundthatisbecauseyouareapoet？——

Cranlypointedhislongforefinger——

Lookathim!hesaidwithscorntotheothers。LookatIreland"shope!

Theylaughedathiswordsandgesture。Templeturnedonhimbravely，saying:——

Cranly，you"realwayssneeringatme。Icanseethat。ButIamasgoodasyouanyday。DoyouknowwhatIthinkaboutyounowascomparedwithmyself？——

Mydearman，saidCranlyurbanely，youareincapable，doyouknow，absolutelyincapableofthinking——

Butdoyouknow，Templewenton，whatIthinkofyouandofmyselfcomparedtogether？——

Outwithit，Temple!thestoutstudentcriedfromthesteps。Getitoutinbits!

Templeturnedrightandleft，makingsuddenfeeblegesturesashespoke——

I"maballocks，hesaid，shakinghisheadindespair。IamandI

knowIam。AndIadmititthatIam。

Dixonpattedhimlightlyontheshoulderandsaidmildly:——

Anditdoesyoueverycredit，Temple——

Buthe，Templesaid，pointingtoCranly，heisaballocks，too，likeme。Onlyhedoesn"tknowit。Andthat"stheonlydifferenceIsee。

Aburstoflaughtercoveredhiswords。ButheturnedagaintoStephenandsaidwithasuddeneagerness:——

Thatwordisamostinterestingword。That"stheonlyEnglishdualnumber。Didyouknow？——

Isit？Stephensaidvaguely。

HewaswatchingCranly"sfirm-featuredsufferingface，litupnowbyasmileoffalsepatience。Thegrossnamehadpassedoveritlikefoulwaterpouredoveranoldstoneimage，patientofinjuries；and，ashewatchedhim，hesawhimraisehishatinsaluteanduncovertheblackhairthatstoodstifflyfromhisforeheadlikeanironcrown。

ShepassedoutfromtheporchofthelibraryandbowedacrossStepheninreplytoCranly"sgreeting。Healso？WastherenotaslightflushonCranly"scheek？OrhaditcomeforthatTemple"swords？Thelighthadwaned。

Hecouldnotsee。

Didthatexplainhisfriend"slistlesssilence，hisharshcomments，thesuddenintrusionsofrudespeechwithwhichhehadshatteredsooftenStephen"sardentwaywardconfessions？Stephenhadforgivenfreelyforhehadfoundthisrudenessalsoinhimself。AndherememberedaneveningwhenhehaddismountedfromaborrowedcreakingbicycletopraytoGodinawoodnearMalahide。Hehadlifteduphisarmsandspokeninecstasytothesombrenaveofthetrees，knowingthathestoodonholygroundandinaholyhour。Andwhentwoconstabularymenhadcomeintosightroundabendinthegloomyroadhehadbrokenoffhisprayertowhistleloudlyanairfromthelastpantomime。

Hebegantobeatthefrayedendofhisashplantagainstthebaseofapillar。HadCranlynotheardhim？Yethecouldwait。Thetalkabouthimceasedforamomentandasofthissfellagainfromawindowabove。Butnoothersoundwasintheairandtheswallowswhoseflighthehadfollowedwithidleeyesweresleeping。

Shehadpassedthroughthedusk。Andthereforetheairwassilentsaveforonesofthissthatfell。Andthereforethetonguesabouthimhadceasedtheirbabble。Darknesswasfalling。Darknessfallsfromtheair。Atremblingjoy，lambentasafaintlight，playedlikeafairyhostaroundhim。Butwhy？Herpassagethroughthedarkeningairortheversewithitsblackvowelsanditsopeningsound，richandlutelike？

Hewalkedawayslowlytowardsthedeepershadowsattheendofthecolonnade，beatingthestonesoftlywithhissticktohidehisreveryfromthestudentswhomhehadleft:andallowedhismindtosummonbacktoitselftheageofDowlandandByrdandNash。