Samuel Beckett
Digital Manuscript Project
Malone meurt / Malone Dies

MS-WU-MSS008-2-47

X
Segment 1

[0964] I shall write on both sides of the page. [0965] Where does it come from?
[0966] I don't know. [0967] I found it, just like that, the day I needed it.
[0968] Knowing perfectly well I had no exercise-book I rummaged in my
possessions in the hope of finding one.
[0969] I was not disappointed,
not surprised.
[0970] If to-morrow I needed an old love-letter I would
adopt the same method.
[0971] It is ruled in suq squares. [0972] The first
pap [place = overwritten] ges are covered with ciphers and other symbols and diagrams,
with here and there a brief [place = supralinear] i phrase.
[0973] Calculations [place = inline] , I reckon.

X
Segment 2

[0974] They seem to stop suddenly, prematurely at all events. [0975] As though
discouraged.
[0976] Perhaps it is astronomy, or astrology. [0977] I did not
look closely.
[0978] I drew a line, no, I did not even draw a line, and
I wrote, Soon I shall be quite dead at last, and so on, without
even going on to the next page, which was blank.
[0979] Good. [0980] Now I need
not dilate on this exercise-book when it comes to the inventory,
but merely say, Item, an exercise-book, giving perhaps the colour
of the cover.

X
Segment 3

[0981] But I may well lose it between now and then, for good
good and all.
[0982] The pencil on the contrary is an old acquaintance, [0983] I
must have had it about me when I was brought here.
[0984] It has five
faces.
[0985] It is very short. It is pointed at both ends. [0986] A Venus.
[0987] I hope it will see me out. [0988] I was saying O [place = overwritten] I did not depart from
myself now with quite the same alacrity.

X
Segment 4

[0989] That must be in the
natural order of things, all that pertains to me must be written
there, including my inability to grasp what order is meant.
[0990] For
I have never seen any sign of ant [place = overwritten] y, inside me or outside me.
[0991] I have pinned my faith to appearances, believing them to be
vain.
[0992] I shall not go into the details. [0993] Choke, go down, come up,
choke, suppose, deny, affirm, drown.
[0995] I depart from myself less

Transcription
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