CHAPTER 39
First Night Watch
(Stubb solus, and mending a brace.)
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 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.
