CHAPTER30ThePipe

whenstubbhaddeparted,ahabstoodforawhileleaningoverthebulwarks;andthen,ashadbeenusualwithhimoflate,callingasailorofthewatch,hesenthimbelowforhisivorystool,andalsohispipe.lightingthepipeatthebinnaclelampandplantingthestoolontheweathersideofthedeck,hesatandsmoked.

inoldnorsetimes,thethronesofthesea-lovingdanishkingswerefabricated,saithtradition,ofthetusksofthenarwhale.howcouldonelookatahabthen,seatedonthattripodofbones,withoutbethinkinghimoftheroyaltyitsymbolized?forakhanoftheplank,andakingofthesea,andagreatlordofleviathanswasahab.

somemomentspassed,duringwhichthethickvaporcamefromhismouthinquickandconstantpuffs,whichblewbackagainintohisface."hownow,"hesoliloquizedatlast,withdrawingthetube,"thissmokingnolongersoothes.oh,mypipe!hardmustitgowithmeifthycharmbegone!herehaveibeenunconsciouslytoiling,notpleasuring—aye,andignorantlysmokingtowindwardallthewhile;towindward,andwithsuchnervouswhiffs,asif,likethedyingwhale,myfinaljetswerethestrongestandfullestoftrouble.whatbusinesshaveiwiththispipe?thisthingthatismeantforsereneness,tosendupmildwhitevaporsamongmildwhitehairs,notamongtorniron-greylockslikemine.i'llsmokenomore—"hetossedthestilllightedpipeintothesea.thefirehissedinthewaves;thesameinstanttheshipshotbythebubblethesinkingpipemade.withslouchedhat,ahablurchinglypacedtheplanks.