Samuel Beckett
Digital Manuscript Project
Malone meurt / Malone Dies

MS-HRC-SB-4-3

X
Segment 1

[1239] Nicholson and Watson, all whoresons. [1240] I then tried, for a space,
to lay hold of a kindred sprit among the inferior races, red,
yellow, chocolate, and so on.
[1241] And if the plague-stricken had been
less difficult of access I would have intruded on them too,
ogling, sidling, leering, ineffing and coanting[] , my heart pal-
pitating.
[1242] With the insane too I failed, by a hair's-breadth.
[1243] That must have been the way with me then. But the point is rather
what is the way with me now.

X
Segment 2

[1244] When young the old filled me with
wonder and awe.
[1245] Bawling babies are what dumbfound me now. [1246] The
house is full of them finally.
[1247] Suave mari magno, especially for
the old salt.
[1248] What tedium. [1249] And I thought I had it all thought
out.
[1250] If I had the use of my body I would throw it out of the
window.
[1251] But perhaps it is the knowledge of my impotence that
emboldens me to that thought.
[1252] All hangs togetyher, I am in
chains.

X
Segment 3

[1253] Unfortunately I do not know quite what floor I am on,
perhaps I am only on the mezzanine.
[1254] The doors banging, the steps
on the stairs, the noises of the street, have not enlightened
me, on this subject.
[1255] All I know is that the living are there, above
me and beneath me.
[1256] It follows that I a at least I am not in the
basement.
[1257] QAnd do I not sometimes see the sky and, through my
window, other windows facing it apparently?

X
Segment 4

[1258] But that proves noth-
ing.,
[1259] I do not wish to prove anything. [1260] Or so I say. [1261] Perhaps after
all I am in a kind of vault and this space which I take to be the
street in reality no more than a wide trench or ditch with other
vaults opening upon it.
[1262] But the noises that rise up from below,
the steps that cominge climbing towards me?
[1263] Perhaps there are other
vaults even deeper than mine,
[1264] why not? [1265] In which case the question

X
Addition 1
,
X
Addition 2
e
X
Metamark 1
Metamark: Note: Transposition symbol.
Transcription
  • Segments
  • Marginal Additions
  • Metamarks