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IV.A.4: Pomes Penyeach

Typescript of “A Prayer” (1924)

Material Description and Collation

The manuscript is a loose sheet of unruled paper, which is a double-spaced, purple ribbon top (original) copy; the verso is blank. The typescript was prepared by Lily Borach (see LIII 94).


Title

The typist headed the poem “A Prayer”.


Measurements

The sheet measures 27.1 x 21.1 cm.


Contents

The manuscript is a typescript of the poem “A Prayer,” which Joyce first published in Pomes Penyeach (Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1927; see Slocum and Cahoon A24), pp. [20]–[21]. It is the last poem Joyce wrote for the collection but the text here differs from the published version.


Dating

The typist dated the sheet: “18 May 1924”, which is most likely the date Joyce wrote the poem in MS VI.B.5, rather than when the typescript was made.


Other Markings

Sylvia Beach wrote “typescript of A Prayer | given to SB by JJ”.


Publication

This manuscript has been reproduced in black and white photo-facsimile on JJA 1.201 and “A Prayer” was subsequently published in PSW, p. 63.


Notes

The page has been folded in once vertically and twice horizontally.


  1. La Hune, item 157; Slocum and Cahoon, item E.7.b.