Ulysses
glovers, plumbing contractors. After them march gentlemen
of the bedchamber, Black Rod, Deputy Garter, Gold Stick, the
master of horse, the lord great chamberlain, the earl marshal,
the high constable carrying the sword of state, saint Stephen’s
iron crown, the chalice and bible. Four buglers on foot blow a
sennet. Beefeaters reply, winding clarions of welcome. Under
an arch of triumph Bloom appears, bareheaded, in a crimson
velvet mantle trimmed with ermine, bearing Saint Edward’s
staff the orb and sceptre with the dove, the curtana. He is
seated on a milkwhite horse with long flowing crimson tail,
richly caparisoned, with golden headstall. Wild excitement.
The ladies from their balconies throw down rosepetals. The
air is perfumed with essences. The men cheer. Bloom’s boys
run amid the bystanders with branches of hawthorn and
wrenbushes.)
BLOOM’S BOYS:The wren, the wren,
The king of all birds,
Saint Stephen’s his day
Was caught in the furze.A BLACKSMITH: (Murmurs) For the honour of God!
And is that Bloom? He scarcely looks thirtyone.
A PAVIOR AND FLAGGER: That’s the famous Bloom
now, the world’s greatest reformer. Hats off!
(All uncover their heads. Women whisper eagerly.)
A MILLIONAIRESS: (Richly) Isn’t he simply wonder-
ful?