Улисс

           Heholdsmyfollieshostage.

           Cranly’seleventrueWicklowmentofreetheirsireland.GaptoothedKathleen,herfourbeautifulgreenfields,thestrangerinherhouse.Andonemoretohailhim:ave,rabbi:theTinahelytwelve.Intheshadowoftheglenhecooeesforthem.Mysoul’syouthIgavehim,nightbynight.Godspeed.Goodhunting.

           Mulliganhasmytelegram.

           Folly.Persist.

           —OuryoungIrishbards,JohnEglintoncensured,haveyettocreateafigurewhichtheworldwillsetbesideSaxonShakespeare’sHamletthoughIadmirehim,asoldBendid,onthissideidolatry.

           —Allthesequestionsarepurelyacademic,Russelloracledoutofhisshadow.Imean,whetherHamletisShakespeareorJamesIorEssex.Clergymen’sdiscussionsofthehistoricityofJesus.Arthastorevealtousideas,formlessspiritualessences.Thesupremequestionaboutaworkofartisoutofhowdeepalifedoesitspring.ThepaintingofGustaveMoreauisthepaintingofideas.ThedeepestpoetryofShelley,thewordsofHamletbringourmindsintocontactwiththeeternalwisdom,Plato’sworldofideas.Alltherestisthespeculationofschoolboysforschoolboys.

           A.E.hasbeentellingsomeyankeeinterviewer.Wall,tarnationstrikeme!

           —Theschoolmenwereschoolboysfirst,Stephensaidsuperpolitely.AristotlewasoncePlato’sschoolboy.

           —Andhasremainedso,oneshouldhope,JohnEglintonsedatelysaid.Onecanseehim,amodelschoolboywithhisdiplomaunderhisarm.

           Helaughedagainatthenowsmilingbeardedface.

           Formlessspiritual.Father,WordandHolyBreath.Allfather,theheavenlyman.