Herman Melville's Moby-Dick was published on this day in 1851.
CHAPTER 39: FIRST NIGHT WATCH
Ha! ha! ha! ha! hem! clear my throat!- I’ve been thinking
over it ever since, and that ha, ha’s the final consequence. Why so? Because a
laugh’s the wisest, easiest answer to all that’s queer; and come what will, one
comfort’s always left- that unfailing comfort is, it’s all predestinated. I
heard not all his talk with Starbuck; but to my poor eye Starbuck then looked
something as I the other evening felt. Be sure the old Mogul has fixed him,
too. I twigged it, knew it; had the gift, might readily have prophesied it- for
when I clapped my eye upon his skull I saw it. Well, Stubb, wise Stubb- that’s
my title- well, Stubb, what of it, Stubb? Here’s a carcase. I know not all that
may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing. Such a waggish
leering as lurks in all your horribles! I feel funny. Fa, la! lirra, skirra!
What’s my juicy little pear at home doing now? Crying its eyes out?- Giving a
party to the last arrived harpooneers, I dare say, gay as a frigate’s pennant,
and so am I- fa, la! lirra, skirra! Oh-
We’ll drink to-night with hearts as light, To love, as gay
and fleeting As bubbles that swim, on the beaker’s brim, And break on the lips
while meeting. A brave stave that- who calls? Mr. Starbuck? Aye, aye, sir-
(Aside) he’s my superior, he has his too, if I’m not mistaken.- Aye, aye, sir,
just through with this job- coming.
Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
No comments:
Post a Comment