NP Melville

[Terrance]

          And thus, though surrounded by circle upon circle
of consternations and affrights, did these
inscrutable creatures at the centre freely and fearlessly
indulge in all peaceful concernments; yea, serenely revelled
in   dalliance and delight. But even so, amid the tornadoed
Atlantic of my being, do I myself still for ever centrally
disport in mute calm; and while ponderous planets of
unwaning woe  revolve round me, deep down and deep inland
there I still bathe me in eternal mildness of joy.

				&

          Nor did such soothing scenes, however temporary,
fail of at least as temporary an effect on Ahab. But if
these  secret golden keys did seem to open in him his own
secret golden treasuries, yet did his breath upon them prove
but
tarnishing. 


Melvlle, torn between his Romantic contemporaries and his
Calvinist past, that is between optimistic hopes and fearful
doubts.