Don't Stare Too Long Into the Fire

From Page 494 of my copy of Melville's Moby Dick:

"I have sat before the dense coal fire and watched it all aglow, full of its tormented flaming life; and I have seen it wane at last, down, down to the dumbest dust. Old man of oceans! of all this fiery life of thine; what will at length remain but one little heap of ashes!"

'Aye," cried Stubb, "but sea-coal ashes - mind ye that, Mr. Starbuck - sea-coal, not your common charcoal. Well, well! I heard Ahab mutter, 'Here some one thrusts these cards into these old hands of mine; swears that I must play them, and no others.' And damn me, Ahab, but thou actest right; live in the game, and die in it!"

For regular readers, know that I will be with out internet access for a couple of weeks. Fear not, for I will return to regular posts when the faucets get turned back on. Until then, delve deep into the archive, or read some of the folks on the blogroll, but remember, don't stare too long into the fire.