In an instant's compass, great hearts
sometimes condense to one deep pang, the sum total of those
shallow pains kindly diffused through feebler men's whole lives.
And so, such hearts, though summary in each one suffering;
still, if the gods decree it, in their life-time aggregate
a whole age of woe, wholly made up of instantaneous intensities;
for even in their pointless centres, those noble natures contain
the entire circumferences of inferior souls.
"The harpoon," said Ahab, half way rising, and draggingly leaning
on one bended arm--"is it safe?"
"Aye, sir, for it was not darted; this is it," said Stubb, showing it.
"Lay it before me;--any missing men?"
"One, two, three, four, five;--there were five oars, sir, and here
are five men."
"That's good.--Help me, man; I wish to stand. So, so, I see him!
there! there! going to leeward still; what a leaping spout!--
Hands off from me! The eternal sap runs up in Ahab's bones again!
Set the sail; out oars; the helm!"
It is often the case that when a boat is stove, its crew,
being picked up by another boat, help to work that second boat;
and the chase is thus continued with what is called double-banked oars.
It was thus now.
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