(26.25-27.30) I tackled a slightly shorter passage here because there were less than four full pages left in the first chapter of the Wake after yesterday's reading. This was the quickest read I've had so far, thanks to the passage's short length and straightforward nature. I'm not expecting things to go so smoothly for long.
The passage begins with the mourner continuing to address Finnegan. We learn that world's been pretty much the same since Finnegan fell. People are sick, people eat, and the same "slop" is in the windows of the local shops. The mourner mentions that the kids are progressing in school, and gives a more formal introduction to Finnegan/HCE's children: Kevin/Shaun, who seems like a perfect little angel (but we've already learned that appearances can be deceiving in the Wake); Jerry/Shem, the seemingly devilish one, who literally writes "a blue streak" over his "bourseday shirt" (or birthday suit); and Hetty Jane/Isabel, the graceful daughter. The mourner also mentions Essie, also known Holly Merry and Pia de Purebelle, who represents the ALP figure here. Essie's making a living doing live performances with some kind of percussive instrument, and the mourner tells Finnegan it would "dialate" his heart to see her in action.
At this point, Finnegan begins to stir, and the mourner says, "Aisy now, you decent man, with your knees and lie quiet and repose your honour's lordship!" The mourner summons some of the men at the wake to help hold Finnegan down and remarks that it's "our warm spirits" -- both the alcohol at the wake and the living presence of the mourners -- that are reanimating Finnegan. The passage ends with the mourner once again exhorting Finnegan to sleep, saying, "O sleepy! So be yet!"
Coming up: the conclusion of the first chapter. I feel like I'm rolling right along.
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