Edward Quinn, James Joyce's Dublin, with Selected Writings from Joyce's Works,, (Nice, 1974),
Page 88
"Coffined
thoughts around me, in mummycases, embalmed in spice of words. Thoth, god of
libraries, a birdgod, moonycrowned. And I heard the voice of that Egyptian
highpriest. In painted chambers loaded with tilebooks.
They are still.
Once quick in the brains of men. Still: but an itch of death is in them, to
tell me in my ear a maudlin tale, urge me to wreak their will."