Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

by Herman Melville

  Ha! ha! ha! ha! hem! clear my throat!--I've been thinkingover it ever since, and that ha, ha's the final consequence.Why so? Because a laugh's the wisest, easiest answer to allthat'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 eyeStarbuck then looked something as I the other evening felt.Be sure the old Mogul has fixed him, too. I twigged it, knew it;had had the gift, might readily have prophesied it--for when Iclapped 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 lurksin 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.