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Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

"Moby Dick: or, the White Whale"


I know some o' you has berry brig mout, brigger dan oders;
but den de brig mouts sometimes has de small bellies; so dat de
brigness of de mout is not to swallar wid, but to bit off de
blubber for de small fry ob sharks, dat can't get into de scrouge
to help demselves."
"Well done, old Fleece!" cried Stubb, "that's Christianity; go on."
"No use goin' on; de dam willains will keep a scrougin'
and slappin' each oder, Massa Stubb; dey don't hear one word;
no use a-preaching to such dam g'uttons as you call 'em,
till dare bellies is full, and dare bellies is bottomless;
and when dey do get 'em full, dey wont hear you den;
for den dey sink in de sea, go fast to sleep on de coral,
and can't hear noting at all, no more, for eber and eber."
"Upon my soul, I am about of the same opinion; so give
the benediction, Fleece, and I'll away to my supper."
Upon this, Fleece, holding both hands over the fishy mob,
raised his shrill voice, and cried--
"Cussed fellow-critters! Kick up de damndest row as ever you can;
fill your dam bellies 'till dey bust--and den die."
"Now, cook," said Stubb, resuming his supper at the capstan;
Stand just where you stood before, there, over against me,
and pay particular attention.


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