Chapter 41.00: CHAPTER 39. First Night-Watch.

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CHAPTER 39. First Night-Watch.
**

Fore-Top.

(_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.