MS-HRC-SB-5-9-2

[1555] And the starching begin at last, of this
old clout so patiently pawed in vain,
as limp and drooping still as before they began.
[1556] But it is solely a question of voices,
every other image is to be rejected.[1557] Let
it go through me at last, the right one, the
last one, his who has none, by his own confession.

[1558] Do they think they'll lull me, with all
this hemming and hawing?[1559] What can
it matter to me, whether I succeed or
fail?[1560] The undertaking is none of mine.
[1561] If they want me to succeed, I'll fail, so as
not be rid of them.[1562] Is there a single word
of mine in all I say?

[1563] No, I have no voice,
in this matter I have no voice.[1564] That's one
of the reasons why I confused myself with
Worm.[1565] But I have no reasons either, no reason,
I'm like Worm, with no voice or reason,
I'm Worm, no, if I was Worm I wouldn't know
it, I wouldn't say it, I wouldn't say anything,
I'd be Worm.

[1566] But I don't say anything, I
don't know anything, these voices are not mine,
nor these thoughts, but the voices and the thoughts
of the enemies who inhabit me.[1567] Who
make me say that I can't be Worm, the inex-
pugnable.[1568] Who make me say that I am he
perhaps, as they are.[1569] Who make me say
that, since I can't be he, I must be he.

[1570] That, since I couldn't be Mahood, as I
might have been, I must be Worm, as I
can't be.[1571] But is it still they who say that,
having failed to be Worm, I'll be Mahood,
automatically, on the rebound?

[1572] As if, and a
little silence, as if I were big enough
now to take a hint and understand,
certain things, but they're wrong, I need
explanations, of everything, and even

[1572] then, I don't understand, that's how I'll
sicken them in the end, by my stupidity, [⁁] ^{[ADDITION]Addition on page 18vso they say}
, to lull me , to make me
think I am more stupid than I am.

[1573] And
is it still they who say that when I am Worm
at last, and surprise them all, I'll be at
last Mahood, Worm proving to be Mahood,
the moment one is he.

[1574] Ah if only they could begin,
and do with me what they will, and succeed
at last, in doing with me what they will, I
am ready to be whatever they will, I am
tired of being matter, matter, pawed and pummeled endlessly in vain.

[1575] Or give up and leave me lying there in a heap,
in such a heap that nobody would be ever
found again, mad enough to try and
fashion it.[1576] But they are not of one mind,
they are all of the same kidney and yet they
don't know what they want to do with me,
they don't know where I am, or what I'm