But in his joy at the enchanted, tacit acquiescence of the mate,
Ahab did not hear his foreboding invocation; nor yet the low
laugh from the hold; nor yet the presaging vibrations of
the winds in the cordage; nor yet the hollow flap of the sails
against the masts, as for a moment their hearts sank in.
For again Starbuck's downcast eyes lighted up with the stubbornness
of life; the subterranean laugh died away; the winds blew on;
the sails filled out; the ship heaved and rolled as before.
Ah, ye admonitions and warnings! why stay ye not when ye come?
But rather are ye predictions than warnings, ye shadows!
Yet not so much predictions from without, as verifications
of the fore-going things within. For with little external
to constrain us, the innermost necessities in our being,
these still drive us on.
"The measure! the measure!" cried Ahab.
Receiving the brimming pewter, and turning to the harpooneers,
he ordered them to produce their weapons. Then ranging them
before him near the capstan, with their harpoons in their hands,
while his three mates stood at his side with their lances,
and the rest of the ship's company formed a circle round the group;
he stood for an instant searchingly eyeing every man of his crew.
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