150 
MOBY DICK; OR 
sustained, and mystic aspect. Stubb and Flask looked sideways from 
him ; the honest eye of Starbuck fell downright. 
“In vain !” cried Ahab; “but, maybe, ’tis well. For did ye three 
but once take the full-forced shock, then mine own electric thing, that 
had perhaps expired from out me. Perchance, too, it would have 
dropped ye dead. Perchance ye need it not. Down lances ! And now, 
ye mates, I do appoint ye three cupbearers to my three pagan kinsmen 
there — you three most honourable gentlemen and noblemen, my valiant 
harpooneers. Disdain the task? What, when the great pope washes 
the feet of beggars, using his tiara for ewer ? Oh, my sweet cardinals ! 
your own condescension, that shall bend ye to it. I do not order ye ; 
ye will it. Cut your seizings and draw the poles, ye harpooneers !” 
Silently obeying the order, the three harpooneers now stood with the 
detached iron part of their harpoons, some three feet long, held, barbs 
up before him. 
“Stab me not with that keen steel! Cant them; cant them over! 
know ye not the goblet end ? Turn up the socket ! So ; so, now, ye 
cupbearers, advance. The irons ! take them ; hold them while I fill !” 
Forthwith, slowly going from one officer to the other, he brimmed 
the harpoon socket with the fiery waters from the pewter. 
“How three to three, ye stand. Commend the murderous chalices! 
Bestow them, ye who are now made parties to this indissoluble league. 
Ha! Starbuck! but the deed is done! Yon ratifying sun now waits 
to sit upon it. Drink ! ye harpooneers ! drink and swear, ye men that 
man the deathful whaleboat’s bow — Death to Moby Dick! God hunt 
us all, if we do not hunt Moby Dick to his death !” 
The long, barbed steel goblets were lifted; and to cries and male- 
dictions against the white whale, the spirits were simultaneously 
quaffed down with a hiss. Starbuck paled, and turned, and shivered. 
Once more, and finally, the replenished pewter went the rounds among 
the frantic crew; when waving his free hand to them they all dis- 
persed; and Ahab retired within his cabin. 
