——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。