officer of the Fates, who has the constant surveillance of me,
and secretly dogs me, and influences me in some unaccountable way--
he can better answer than any one else. And, doubtless,
my going on this whaling voyage, formed part of the grand
programme of Providence that was drawn up a long time ago.
It came in as a sort of brief interlude and solo between more
extensive performances. I take it that this part of the bill
must have run something like this:


"Grand Contested Election for the Presidency of the United States.
"WHALING VOYAGE BY ONE ISHMAEL."
"BLOODY BATTLE IN AFFGHANISTAN."


Though I cannot tell why it was exactly that those stage managers,
the Fates, put me down for this shabby part of a whaling voyage,
when others were set down for magnificent parts in high tragedies,
and short and easy parts in genteel comedies, and jolly parts in farces--
though I cannot tell why this was exactly; yet, now that I recall
all the circumstances, I think I can see a little into the springs and
motives which being cunningly presented to me under various disguises,
induced me to set about performing the part I did, besides cajoling me
into the delusion that it was a choice resulting from my own unbiased
freewill and discriminating judgment.

Chief among these motives was the overwhelming idea of the great
whale himself. Such a portentous and mysterious monster
roused all my curiosity. Then the wild and distant seas where
he rolled his island bulk; the undeliverable, nameless perils