Episode 12
NATIONALISM AT BARNEY KIERNAN’S PUB 5.00 p.m.
The Nameless One is out at Arbour Hill, talking to an old fellow from the forces. He narrowly escapes being hit by the brushes and ladders of a chimney sweep and is about to tear strips off him when he spots Joe Hynes dodging along Stony Batter Lane.
He is trying to get money out of a swindler who has been stealing tea and sugar from Moses Herzog of 13 Saint Kevin’s Parade. Michael E. Geraghty Esquire is duly required to pay the value of the goods ordered and delivered to 29 Arbour Hill. Geraghty, however will not be intimidated and says he will challenge the vendor for operating without a license.
The nationalist leader is in John of God’s mental hospital so they decide instead to pay a visit to the citizen at Barney Kiernans’s pub. Joe will report on the meeting he has just come from about the foot and mouth cattle disease at the City Arms Hotel. Joe is generous on the rare occasion when he has a bob or two in his pocket.
Inisfail is the holy land of Michan. Warriors and princes sleep there. It is an idyllic pastoral setting with streams full of fish and lovely maidens sitting amongst the trees and singing songs. Gallant heroes come to woo them from all over Ireland. The Crystal Palace can be seen offshore by the mariners bringing exotic produce from over the seas.
The Nameless One is still irate about the defiance of Michael E. Geraghty Esquire
The rich sounds from herds of sheep, pigs and heifers abound in the lush fields. There is a plentiful supply of milk, eggs and cheese.
The Nameless One and Joe Byrne arrive at Barney Kiernan’s where the citizen with a load of papers is busy talking to himself and his dog Garryowen. The dog growls ferociously and apparently almost devoured the constabulary man who came by to check about a license. Joe, challenged to give his opinion of the times, launches forth with a statement on the market economy. The citizen blames foreign wars. They interrupt the conversation to order a round of drinks, three pints of the national favorite. The citizen enjoys a wrestle with Garry Owen .
At the foot of a round tower sits a red haired and freckled skinned hero. He has enormous shoulders and his skin is covered with a thick gorse. Bristles grow from his huge nostrils so that a bird’s nest could hide itself in the cavern. Huge eyes the size of cauliflowers express a tear and a smile with equal constancy. A warm breath comes from the deep cavity of his mouth and his heart beat causes vibrations across the land.
A leather garment tied with plaited straw reaches to his knees. Deer skin and cowhide complete his garments and footwear. A girdle of sea stones portrays the great Irish heroes from time immemorial. A spear made of granite rests by his side and a savage dog sleeps subdued by blows, at regular intervals, with a mighty stone.
Joe Byrne pays for the drinks and everyone is amazed, but of course he had a tip for the races and has just had a small windfall thanks to Bloom.
Bloom son of Rory comes through the land of Michan.
The citizen takes a copy of the so-called Irish Independent that lists the deaths and marriages. The death column does not contain one Irish sounding name. Joe Byrne salutes them with his drink glad that they are ahead of him on that particular list. They were all desperate for a pint and drink quickly.
A messenger arrives as they sip their cups of joy. A noble elder and his lovely wife accompany him.
Alf Bergin comes in quickly and joins Bob Doran who is dead drunk and asleep in the snug. Alf has just escaped from being chased by Denis Breen with his poor unfortunate wife bringing up the rear. No doubt Alf is guilty of sending the offending postcard but a libel action for ten thousand pounds is a bit extreme in response to a prank. All of Dublin have been leading Bob Doran him on, including Tom Rochford, who sent him onto the Sub Sheriff’s office after he did the rounds to the solicitors.
Alf is waiting for Terry to bring him a small beer and Bob Doran is slowly waking up.
Terence serves his guest golden ale in a crystal cup. The noble brothers Bungiveagh and Bungardilaun have brewed the berries over a sacred fire. The drink quenches the thirst of their beautiful god like visitor.
O Bergan the young chief is gallant and generous in his response, presenting the establishment with some beautiful bronze craftsmanship with the head of Queen Victoria.
The citizen has spotted Bloom walking up and down outside on the pavement. Alf takes some hangman’s letters from a bundle to show Joe. Bob Doran is charged up from the drink and The Nameless One tries to calm things down, to change the subject, he asks Alf about Willy Murray. Alf says he just saw him with Paddy Dignam in Capel Street. He assures an astounded Joe it is a fact. Joe says that as they buried Paddy Dignam earlier in the day he must have seen a ghost. Alf is stunned beyond belief and calls out to the Almighty.
Light and prayer evoke special spirits. Etheric forces emanate from the crown of the head and special rays come from the pituitary gland and the sacral region and the solar plexus. The spirit is still moving through planes of consciousness and is still struggling with the lower astral levels. The spirit tries to convey details of his new abode but the words are beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. He does however request a glass of buttermilk. He tries to guide them in relation to Mars and Jupiter. He makes a special request that the undertaker not pile on too much clay at the graveside. He discloses that the missing boot can be found under the commode and that his son Patsy should have them repaired, as they were still good. Patrick Dignam is now gone from mortal haunts and we can only wail into the wind in his memory.
Bloom has been walking up and down outside Barney Kiernan’s pub for more than ten minutes. Alf and Bob Doran have become maudlin about the deceased Paddy Dignam and Terry the bar man tries to get them to tone it down
The Nameless One thinks Bob Doran should go home to his wife who has a reputation for walking stark naked around her mother’s boarding house in the middle of the night.
Garryowen growls as soon as Bloom comes tentatively through the front door. Bloom enquires if Martin Cunnimgham has been there.
Joe is reading from the hangman’s letters. The citizen describes him as a barbarian. Joe does not want to read any more from such a bloodthirsty fiend and offers Bloom a drink. Bloom hums and haws and eventually decides he will have a cigar.
The chat continues about how some people would even hang their own father for two bob and that they have two fellows at the bottom of the scaffold to pull the heels to ensure the job is done properly.
The righteous threaten to revenge deeds of blood with knights from the dark land.
Bloom expounds on his theories about capital punishment and as he is talking the dog is busy smelling him. The Nameless One thinks he must have a queer odour because he is Jewish. Alf tells them that hanging brings on an enormous erection and Bloom tries to elaborate with a scientific explanation.
Herr Professor Luitpold Blumenduft outlines details of the ganglionic phenomena.
The citizen begins a tirade about all the great Irish heroes who have gone to the gallows and the principles that will guide a New Ireland. The Nameless One thinks he should start by getting a new dog instead of all this scratching and sneezing. Bob Doran very drunk tries to make the dog give him the paw and Alf has to hold him from falling off the barstool. He gets Terry to give him an old biscuit box and starts to feed the old mongrel of a dog who nearly eats box and all.
The citizen and Bloom have an argument about the heroic figures. Bloom brandishing his cigar is in danger of upstaging the citizen. The Nameless One however knows the score on Bloom with his fat wife and how he tried to get some money out of old Mrs. Riordan when they lived at the City Arms Hotel. Pisser Burke got Bloom very drunk and when he returned to the women he tried to have a detailed argument with them. The citizen drinks to the memory of the dead but Bloom doggedly continues to make his point even though they have all stopped listening to him. The citizen rallies a cheer for Sinn Fein to shut him up.
Bells and muffled drums announce the final farewell. Thunder and lightening give a supernatural dimension to the occasion. The rain pours down on five hundred thousand people. Policemen keep order and extra trains enable people from the country to arrive in droves. A musical comedy element is a great success with the crowd. Orphans are allowed to watch the spectacle from the windows of the Foundling Hospital.
The grandstand is crowded with the Vice Regal house party of foreign dignitaries with impressive titles and lineage. They all state their objection to the barbaric event in the most eloquent language. Order has to be restored when a huge argument develops about the correct date for national celebration. Constable McFadden suggests March 17th and all bow to his suggestion. Gold and silver watches have to be restored to their rightful owners from the pockets of Commendatore Beninobenone.
Rumbold steps onto the scaffold like a hero and everyone cheers when the headman arrives and ladies wave their handkerchiefs. All join in prayer as the last comforts of religion are given to the young martyr. The headman feels the sharp edge of his weapon. The disemboweling appliances are of the finest quality and two large milk jugs will hold the precious blood that will go to a home for cats and dogs. The last meal of rashers and eggs is nobly offered to the sick by the doomed figure. A passionate embrace from his forlorn wife causes a frenzy in the crowd. Sheila will treasure his memory. Everyone is moved to tears and even big strong men weep into their large handkerchiefs. A handsome young Oxford graduate comes forward to comfort the fair maid and his invitation to fill the breech is immediately accepted and the crowd is in raptures. The women take home a token of a skull and crossbones and an emerald ring of a four leafed shamrock is placed on the finger of the blushing fiancee. Even the staunchest men in uniform have to flick aside a tear.
The citizen talks on about the Irish language. The Gaelic league organizes classes and cultural events with the colleen bawns handing out orange and lemonade. The bagpipes play ceili music, dances are held under strict supervision to make sure there is no hanky panky with the females.
The dog having eaten the biscuits is pestering The Nameless One and so the citizen calls him over and starts talking to him, the dog drools everywhere.
A marvelous exhibition highlights the life of the noble dog Owen Garry, including his dietary habits. Verses of ancient Irish bards have been translated into English retaining the metrical system of the original canine language.
The citizen asks Terry for some water for the dog. Joe shouts another round of drinks. Bloom declines saying he is just waiting for Martin Cunningham about the insurance for Paddy Dignam’s widow. Bloom has been allocated the duty of visiting Mrs Dignam as they hope that a loophole will prevent the mortgagee claiming on the insurance policy. Bloom becomes flustered when he says the wife’s admirers instead of advisors and begins a garbled and convoluted explanation. The Nameless One remembers Bloom’s own close shave with the law when he was selling so-called lottery tickets. Bob Doran mauls Bloom and asks him to pass on his condolences to Paddy Dignam’s widow.
-I pray our acquaintance is based on mutual esteem and that decorum will not be breached on my conveying my sincere feelings.
-I will do my duty with less bitterness knowing such real sentiments guide your actions.
-Words cannot convey the depth of feeling so let me take your hand to acknowledge the goodness of your heart.
Bob Doran staggers out of the pub. The Nameless One remembers him in worse situations. He was nearly put in the clink for being drunk and fornicating in some back ally. Bob was quoting from the Old and the New Testament as the whores were laughing and robbing his pockets. The hypocrisy of a stylish parade up the church on Sunday morning is a far cry from his wife’s mother renting out rooms to the local prostitutes.
The citizen is well able to down his pints. Joe wants to know about the fellow that is running for Mayor, Nanetti, who has just been to the cattle traders meeting with William Field M.P.
Bloom’s informed comments on the foot and mouth disease irritate The Nameless One and he relays more gossip from Pisser Burke about Bloom clucking around like an old hen over Molly.
Cluck. Cluck.Cluck.
Joe tells them that Nannetti and Field will travel to London to discuss the foot and mouth disease in the House of Commons. Bloom is perturbed because he needed to finalize the Keyes advertisement with Nannetti at the Freeman. Nannetti is going to ask questions about Irish games being forbidden in the Phoenix Park.
Further to my honorable friend’s remarks can I have clarification that animals will be slaughtered even though there is no medical evidence?
The matter has been in the hands of a committee that has given an affirmative answer on behalf of the whole house.
A provocative question as to whether human animals are to be slaughtered for playing Irish games is answered in the negative. Order has to be called as questions without notice and facetious comments cause a general uproar.
Joe reminds everyone about the prowess of the citizen as a sportsman. Bloom again bores everyone with details about health and sport.
The rich tradition of physical exercise back to ancient times was discussed in elaborate detail and the importance of revival of ancient sports was declared vital for the development of manly strength.
The singing of the National Anthem was led by the Irish Caruso Garibaldi to an audience that included an impressive list of prominent clergy.
Alf and Joe talk about the Keogh-Bennet boxing match and as soon as they mention Boylan and elaborate on how he put word out that one was on the beer to fix the odds Bloom tries to draw the conversation back to lawn tennis.
It was an historic occasion when Myler and Percy met as gladiators with some powerful jabs and straight punches to the jaw. The Dubliner won however with a strong left hook and some excellent body punches to weaken his opponent.
Alf admires Boylan’s enterprise and understands he is running a concert tour up to Belfast. Bloom struggling to maintain control is forced to join in when Molly is declared the star of the tour. The Nameless One twigs that Boylan will have an affair with Molly and is chuffed with himself to have worked this out. Boylan’s father made money selling the same horses twice to the government so he comes from a family of tricksters.
In the Alamada gardens grew the ample bosomed Marion with almond scented air and groves of olives
Ned Lambert arrives with J.J. Molloy who having secured a loan shouts the drinks. The Nameless One as debt collector is alert to the association and knows that Molloy has been losing heavily at cards and has even pawned his gold watch.
They all have great fun talking about Denis Breen and his efforts to get justice. Alf, by way of implying he is off his head, suggests that he puts his hat on with a shoehorn. Bloom pleads sympathy for poor Mrs Breen but the others think that it serves her right for being impressed that his cousin is pew opener in the Vatican.
J.J. Molloy thinks that there may be some basis for Breen’s law suit and states a precedent in the test case of Sadgrove v Hole.
The Nameless One just wants to drink in peace. Breen goes by the door again accompanied by Corney Kelleher who is trying to sell him a second hand coffin. J.J. Molloy and Joe discuss the Canada swindle case. Sir Frederick was on the bench whom they regard as too soft hearted by far leaving off the swindler Reuban J. earlier in the week with tall tales about his wife having typhoid fever.
The judges must deliberate on a property matter in relation to the state of Jacob Halliday, vintner, now deceased and a child of unsound mind.
Livingstone and his guardian consult the almanac to select an auspicious time for the gathering. Sir Frederick endeavours to uphold Brehon Law in his ruling on the case and therefore appoints representatives from the twelve tribes of Iar with whom he confers before handing down his decision. They swear an oath to uphold righteousness and duly refuse to issue bail to the scoundrel.
Bloom has a quiet word with Joe to talk to Crawford about the Keyes advertisement and implies of course there is no rush to pay him back that little debt.
The citizen is outraged with foreigners bringing bugs into holy Ireland. These outsiders are only here to rip off the poor country people. The citizen knows it is betrayal amongst their own and a good man led astray by an adulteress that allowed these thieves and roughens across from England.
Poor Bloom is totally unnerved by the word adulteress and frantically studies a cobweb under the dangerous eye of the citizen and his dog.
The citizen launches a tirade against a dishonorable wife being responsible for the whole downfall of the country. Alf and Terry the barman are looking at some raunchy images supplied by Corney Kelleher. One photo is of an adulteress, caught in the act by her husband with shotgun in hand, bawdy jokes about the tail end of his shirt abound between the men. John Wyse Nolan arrives with Lenehan the sports writer who seems terribly out of sorts. The citizen wants a full report from the City Hall and the decisions made about the Irish language.
The warrior Nolan bows low as he approaches the great Chief and conveys the solemn decision made by the elder statesmen of the city. They have decreed with god’s help that the Irish language become the honored tongue of this great nation.
J.J Molloy and Bloom have an elaborate discussion about colonies and civilizations and if it is legally possible to impeach a nation.
The citizen lets forth a rally of curses on countrymen renowned for spreading syphilis and with no music, art or literature except what they have stolen from the Irish.
J.J. Molloy tries to put things in a European context but this only adds new ammunition to the onslaught from the citizen.
The warrior lifts his strong golden ale with his mighty hands and salutes all present with his war cry and commitment to undo his enemies who rule the seas and have great armies and grand thrones.
The Nameless One wants to know why Lenehan is under the weather and discovers a total outsider, Throwaway, winning the Gold Cup has annihilated him financially. Lenehan also led Boylan astray who splurged on the same horse for himself and a lady friend. Everyone has lost money. Lenehan cannot even scrounge a bit of biscuit from the old tin as the dog has devoured every scrap.
J.J. Molloy, the Citizen and Bloom are deep in conversation about law and history. It is not the blind who have a problem seeing the other fellow’s point of view says the citizen. He goes on to note the decimated population and the destruction of all the great resources and industries of the country such as wool, flax and silver. John Wyse joins in to complain about the laying waste of the forests and rallies a call to save the giant ash and elm of Ireland
An elite international gathering celebrated today the marriage of Jean Wyse de Neaulan with a delightful young woman from Pine Valley. Olive, Mahogony, Hawthorne and all the great families were in attendance and were exquisitely attired in endless shades of green with sprigs, berries and feathers adding dramatic detail to the delightful occasion. Later today they will leave for a short honeymoon in the Black Forest.
The citizen condemns the invaders for usurping the great trade arrangements between Ireland, Spain and France. He claps his thigh to express his commitment to re-establishing these vital trade links with Europe.
He calls on God’s help to rectify matters and to have harbours from Kerry to Cork crowded with fleets sitting low on the water loaded with cargo. He wants the first Irish battle ship to fly with pride the flag of the ancient High Kings of Ireland, three crowns on a blue field and not the harp that has come from Henry Tudor.
The Nameless One knows this speech is all hot air. The women of Connacht have long memories and will brand the citizen if he ever shows up in their part of the country, for taking the holding of an evicted tenant.
Jihn Wyse shouts another round of drinks and they have to drag Terry the barman’s nose out of the paper where he and Alf are immersed in finding the spicy bits.
Ned Lambert tries to uphold the integrity of the Navy but the citizen knows those ships are nothing but hell holes with poor devils being lashed under the auspices of men with cocked hats with the Parson being god’s witness to the barbaric caning at the breech. John Wyse quietly suggests that a sense of humanity rests with breaching such barbaric customs. A pathetic state of affairs in god’s good earth, says the citizen, that the glory of the British navy resorts to such unholy abuse of the lowly workers. The citizen gives a full rendition of the bastardization of beliefs linked to scourging and the only resurrection being to drudge for a living.
Bloom, of course, argues against the flow rationally explaining that discipline is the same everywhere. The Nameless One is driven crazy with Bloom’s obstinate stance. The citizen will not forget the famine in 1847 and the multitudes that died by the roadside while the British exported shiploads of grain to South America. They wanted genocide of an indigenous population just like the redskins in America. The citizen awaits the return of the brave champions of Kathleen ni Houlihan. Bloom agrees but obstinately continues to make his point. John Wyse joins in saying what a mistake it was to fight for the Stuarts. The Irish got little except betrayal for all their efforts including fighting for Spain and France. The citizen then has a tirade against the prissy French dancing masters and the inter marriage of the Germans with the Royal British family.
Queen Victoria farting and being carried upstairs dead drunk and the coachman serving her majesty in more ways than one according to the citizen. J.J. Molloy suggests that King Edward is peace loving but again the citizen interjects with a story about the clergy decorating his room with pictures of his horses and jockeys. Alf Bergin suggests they would have got more mileage by putting up pictures of all the women he rode himself only to be topped by J.J. Molloy who quips that reasons of space influenced their decision. Joe shouts another round of drinks which they all accept with alacrity. Bloom is getting more and more excited talking to John Wyse about history being littered with hatred and persecution and one nation fighting another nation. Bloom, challenged to define a nation, makes a hash of it and everyone has a great laugh at his expense. The citizen wants to know if Bloom has a nation himself. Ireland, Bloom says with confidence, is his nation, it was where he was born. The citizen clears his throat and issues forth a huge spit the size of a fat oyster and wipes himself with his handkerchief. Joe hands him a pint and he holds it like a sacred bible in his right hand.
The rich embroidery of Ireland conveys most beautifully the intricacy of the great symbols of Ireland. This ancient tradition illuminates exquisitely with delicate pigments the beauty of Ireland from the Green Hills of Tallaght to Kilballymacshonakill. Indeed such wonders have only improved with time and the tragedies have not disturbed such elemental wonders.
Bloom says he also belongs to a race that has suffered harassment and is the victim of persecution and that this is happening today. He puts up his fist to make a point and nearly burning himself with the cigar enrages that Jews, at this very moment, are being robbed and sold off like slaves in Morocco.
The citizen wants to know if he is talking about the New Jerusalem, but no, Bloom is raging against injustice. When John Wyse suggests force The Nameless One finds it easier to imagine Bloom with a sweeping brush than a rifle. Bloom argues for the opposite to force and hatred. Alf asks him what is the opposite and Bloom’s declaration of love sounds gauche in this company. Bloom must go and see if Martin Cunningham is outside and makes a quick exit. John Wyse says love thy neighbour is a noble sentiment but the citizen will have none of it and derides Bloom knowing anything beyond beggar my neighbour.
Everyone loves someone and they love someone else because everyone needs to love someone except God who loves everybody.
They all down some more drink with blessings for good health. The citizen continues his nationalist rhetoric with a description of Crowell having God is love engraved on the mouth of his cannons while he annihilated all the women and children of Drogheda. The citizen then reads from the United Irishman about the Zulu Chief visiting England written by a rare wit who signs himself P. It highlights the novelty of the African King enjoying the luxury of drinking from the skull of one of his ancestors and being able to swallow knives and forks from the lunch table as part of an old Abeakutic war dance.
J.J. Molloy reminds them of Casement’s report on the Belgians in the Congo Free State with soldiers trying to squeeze red rubber out of their bellies and raping the women and girls.
It suddenly dawns on Lenehan that Bloom is lying about the courthouse but has gone to collect his winnings from Throwaway in the Gold Cup. The citizen is incredulous that Bloom would even think of backing a horse. A dark horse says Lenehan because he stopped Bantam Lyons following Bloom’s tip earlier in the day. The Nameless One goes to the outhouse and he does a quick calculation on Bloom’s winning with Throwawy at odds of twenty to one. He remembers once when Bloom excused himself playing cards to phone his lump of a wife about a sick child so he could take off with the pool if he won.
John Wyse reveals that Bloom helped their esteemed leader Griffith of Sinn Fein to work out an economic strategy in the interest of Ireland. The Nameless One is skeptical of any contribution from Bloom and his father, an old swindler with his precious gems and penny diamonds. John Wyse sees Martin Cunningham pull up in the car from Dublin castle and tells them that he will verify his story about Bloom.
The humble innkeeper bows to the King’s messengers. He vows they will not go hungry in his house and he will serve them a repast of most excellent pigeon pie, venison and pigs head with pistachios. There is a full larder in his simple house with a flagon of Rhenish to salute the King.
Martin Cunningham is looking for Bloom, but gets bombarded to confirm John Wyse’s story about Bloom and Sinn Fein, which he judiciously affirms as the truth. John Wyse asserts that a Jew can love his country like everybody else and J.J. Molloy agrees provided he knows which country. Ned Lambert wants an answer to the muddle of possible identities. Martin Cunningham tells them he is Hungarian and a perverted Jew who did draw up extensive plans and Dublin Castle has this on record. Bloom’s father was Virag, the man who poisoned himself, and he changed his name to Bloom by deed poll. The Irish and the Jews are both waiting for a New Messiah. Ned Lambert remembers Bloom waiting for his son who died to be born and being so excited one would think he was going to be the New Messiah. Joe and the citizen wonder if Bloom has any semblance of manhood and Jack Power says the proof is that there are two children born, but the citizen will not let it lie and wants to know who does Bloom suspect. The Nameless One remembers Pisser Burke’s story about Bloom being laid up once a month with a headache and regards Bloom as nothing short of a threat to the male species. The greatest downfall was for him not to shout a round of drinks after a windfall on the Gold Cup. Martin Cunningham and his party will have a quick whiskey. The citizen is praying that Saint Patrick will come back and purify the shores of Ireland.
The sacred bell sounds to call on the intervention of all that are most holy and a long procession of monks, friars and deacons followed by eleven thousand virgins move through the streets of Dublin. The last person is Father O’ Flynn under a canopy and he stops at the appointed place, Bernard Kiernan and Company Limited. He blesses the house devoted to the sale of wholesale food, wine and beer and splashes holy water such that it might be like the house of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. All join him in giving thanks for the blessings of the Almighty.
Bloom rushes in having missed Martin Cunningham at the courthouse and of course everyone looks askance at what they now see as pockets bulging with his winnings from backing an outsider in the Gold Cup. Martin Cunningham sensing the mood quickly moves to get Bloom and his party onto the jaunting car whilst signaling to the jarvey to push off.
A bellowing sail carried the wooden boat from shore as comely nymphs clung to the sides splashing in the white foam.
The Nameless One is caught unawares when the citizen lunges for the door swearing and blaspheming in the Irish language. Joe and Alf have no chance of pacifying him as he roars through the door ‘Three cheers for Israel’ making a holy show in front of the whole street. Jack Power is trying to get Bloom to sit down but he retaliates by calling out the names of prominent Jews with the Saviour himself topping the list and his father before him, God himself. Martin Cunningham’s correction that he had no father leaves Bloom grasping for straws and he corrects himself saying his uncle was a Jew and drives home his point that both God and Christ were both Jews like him.
The citizen goes wild when he hears the holy name taken in vain by a jewman and he is set to crucify him with the biscuit box with Joe off his head trying to get him to stop.
The streets of Dublin are thronged with well wishers to farewell Magyasagos Uram Lipoti Virag as he departs for a far shore. Scrolls and caskets with Celtic symbols are presented at the most cordial ceremony. The gathering sings Come back to Erin and Rakoczy’s March accompanied by the Irish pipes.
Fires are lit on the hillsides and mountains of the four shores of Ireland. Flags rest at half mast as Lipoti Virag’s ship moves down river escorted by a convoy of barges. The many beautiful young girls toss flowers in the river in the wake of his departure.
The citizen squealing louder than a stuck pig brandishes himself with the biscuit tin and launches forward to murder Bloom as though on the stage of the Abbey theatre. They all stand by helpless with laughter and only Joe tries to stop him. The jarvey turns the nag in the nick of time and heads off down the street. The citizen pulls back his arm and throws the biscuit box with all his might so it nearly goes right through to the county Longford. Thank the Lord the sun was in his eyes otherwise Bloom was dead for sure and when the nag takes fright bedlam breaks loose altogether and everyone laughs and cheers as they watch the tin box making a terrible racket tumbling along the street.
The catastrophe was of astronomic proportions and the earthquake registered eleven at Dunsink. It was the worst disturbance since 1534. The epicentre was the parish of Michan with the Palace of Justice leveled to a pile of rubble and all the occupants feared dead or buried alive. Items were found as far away as the Giant’s Causeway and Kinsale deeply embedded in the earth. People also reported sighting a bright object moving with terrifying speed towards the Southwest. The world joined Ireland in mourning and the Holy See in Rome organized a special mass for the victims. It was timed as a simultaneous occurrence in all the Cathedrals across the globe. The salvage work would be a gigantic project with the removal of debris alone expected to take many months. This work was entrusted to Messrs Michael Meade and Son. Hercules Hannibal Habeas Corpus Anderson is leading the army rescue operation.
Lucky for the citizen that the jarvey moved fast enough to save Bloom’s life. If the box had connected with his skull he would have been up before the courts for assault and battery if not bloody murder. The citizen swears like a trooper and shouts to Garry Owen to go after him and so the dog takes off yelping and ready to tear off arms and legs.
A blinding light enfolds the chariot as he ascends higher towards the heavens. And behold just as they are blinded by the brightness a resounding voice calls Elijah1 Elijah! Bloom Elijah is seen amidst the clouds of angels catapulted upwards at an angle of
forty five degrees.