Groan nor laugh should be heard before a wreck."
"Aye, sir," said Starbuck drawing near, "'tis a solemn sight;
an omen, and an ill one."
"Omen? omen?--the dictionary! If the gods think to speak outright
to man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads,
and give an old wives' darkling hint.--Begone! Ye two are
the opposite poles of one thing; Starbuck is Stubb reversed,
and Stubb is Starbuck; and ye two are all mankind; and Ahab stands
alone among the millions of the peopled earth, nor gods nor men
his neighbors! Cold, cold--I shiver!--How now? Aloft there!
D'ye see him? Sing out for every spout, though he spout ten
times a second!"
The day was nearly done; only the hem of his golden robe was rustling.
Soon it was almost dark, but the look-out men still remained unset.
"Can't see the spout now, sir;--too dark"--cried a voice from the air.
"How heading when last seen?"
"As before, sir,--straight to leeward."
"Good! he will travel slower now 'tis night. Down royals and
top-gallant stunsails, Mr. Starbuck. We must not run over him
before morning; he's making a passage now, and may heave-to a while.
Helm there! keep her full before the wind!--Aloft! come down!--
Mr.
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