Page:Ulysses, 1922.djvu/544

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541

bloom

(Goes to the window to open it more.) Giddy.

the mother

(With smouldering eyes.) Repent! O, the fire of hell!

stephen

(Panting.) The corpsechewer! Raw head and bloody bones!

the mother

(Her face drawing near and nearer, sending out an ashen breath.) Beware! (She raises her blackened, withered right arm slowly towards Stephen’s breast with outstretched fingers.) Beware! God’s hand! (A green crab with malignant red eyes sticks deep its grinning claws in Stephen’s heart.)

stephen

(Strangled with rage.) Shite! (His features grow drawn and grey and old.)

bloom

(At the window.) What?

stephen

Ah non, par exemple! The intellectual imagination! With me all or not at all. Non serviam!

florry

Give him some cold water. Wait. (She rushes out.)

the mother

(Wrings her hands slowly, moaning desperately.) O Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on him! Save him from hell, O divine Sacred Heart!

stephen

No! No! No! Break my spirit all of you if you can! I’ll bring you all to heel!

the mother

(In the agony of her deathrattle.) Have mercy on Stephen, Lord, for my