Now When the foretopman
found himself in the cabin, closeted there , as it were,
with the Captain and Claggart, he
was surprized enough. But it
was a surprize unaccompanied
by apprehension or distrust. To a an
immature nature essentially honest and humane,
and inexperienced, forewarning intimations
of subtler danger from one's kind
come are tardily or not if at all. The only
thing that took shape in the young
sailor's mind was this: Yes, the
Captain, I have always thought, looks
kindly upon me. Wonder if he's
going to make me his coxswain.
I should like that. And may be
now he is going to ask the
master-at-arms about me.
by apprehension or distrust. To a an
immature nature essentially honest and humane,
and inexperienced, forewarning intimations
of subtler danger from one's kind
come are tardily or not if at all. The only
thing that took shape in the young
sailor's mind was this: Yes, the
Captain, I have always thought, looks
kindly upon me. Wonder if he's
going to make me his coxswain.
I should like that. And may be
now he is going to ask the
master-at-arms about me.
"Shut the door there, sentry,"
said the commander;
"stand without, and let nobody come
in.—Now, master-at-arms
, tell this man to his face
exactly what you told of him to me"; and
stood prepared to scrutinize the
two mutually mutually confronting visages.
"stand without, and let nobody come
in.—Now, master-at-arms
, tell this man to his face
exactly what you told of him to me"; and
stood prepared to scrutinize the
two mutually mutually confronting visages.
With the measured step and calm
collected visage air of an asylum-
physician approaching in the public
hall some patient beginning to show
indications of a coming parox paroxysm,
Claggart deliberatly advanced within
short range of Billy, and mesmerically
looking him in the eye, briefly
recapitulated the accusation.
Not at first did
the accused one
Billy
take it in. When he did, the rose-tan
of his cheek looked struck as by
white leprosy. He stood speechless
like one impaled and gagged. Meanwhile
the accuser' violet eyes removing not as
yet from the blue welkin dilated ones, underwent
a phenominal phenomenal change, their wonted
dark black rich violet violet color blurring into a
muddy purple. Those lights of human Adam's
intelligence losing human expression,
gelidly protruding like the alien
eyes of certain unspeakable uncatalogued
creatures of the deep. tropic parts of that elemental lurch hostHS
Not the Their primal? not only their first lurch humanHS mesmeric pole by, expression but also the form.
judging hungryHS the last humanhumanHS confirm left unproofed as to
take it in. When he did, the rose-tan
of his cheek looked struck as by
white leprosy. He stood speechless
like one impaled and gagged. Meanwhile
the accuser' violet eyes removing not as
yet from the blue welkin dilated ones, underwent
a phenominal phenomenal change, their wonted
dark black rich violet violet color blurring into a
muddy purple. Those lights of human Adam's
intelligence losing human expression,
gelidly protruding like the alien
eyes of certain unspeakable uncatalogued
creatures of the deep. tropic parts of that elemental lurch hostHS
Not the Their primal? not only their first lurch humanHS mesmeric pole by, expression but also the form.
judging hungryHS the last humanhumanHS confirm left unproofed as to
The first mesmeristicmesmeristicHS glance was one of fascin serpent
fascination; the last was threw up a stone wall
was as the strong paralyzing lurch of the torpedo-fish.
"Speak, man!" said Captain
Vere to the transfixed one, struck by his
aspect even more than by Claggart's, "Speak!
defend yourself." Which appeal
caused but a n ineffectual a strange dumb
gesturing and gurgling in Billy;
amazement at such an accusation
so suddenly sprung on upon him, inexperienced nonage ; this, and, Youth goodness virtue
it may be, spontanious spiritual horror at of the
accuser, unearthly glance eyes, serving to bring out his
ever- lurking defect and in this
instance for the time intensifing intensifying it into a convulsed
tounge tongue -tie , ; while the intent head
Vere to the transfixed one, struck by his
aspect even more than by Claggart's, "Speak!
defend yourself." Which appeal
caused but a n ineffectual a strange dumb
gesturing and gurgling in Billy;
amazement at such an accusation
so suddenly sprung on upon him, inexperienced nonage ; this, and, Youth goodness virtue
it may be, spontanious spiritual horror at of the
accuser, unearthly glance eyes, serving to bring out his
ever- lurking defect and in this
instance for the time intensifing intensifying it into a convulsed
tounge tongue -tie , ; while the intent head
and entire
body
form straining
forward in an agony of ineffectual
eagerness to obey the injunction to
speak and defend himself, gave
an expression to the face like that of
a condemned vestal Vestal priestess in the moment
of being secretly buried alive, and
in the first struggle against suffocation.
Though at the time Captain
Vere was quite ignonrant of Billy's
liability to vocal impediment, he now
immediatly divined it, since vividly
Billy's aspect it recalled to him that of a bright
young schoolmate of his whom he
had once seen struck by much the same
forward in an agony of ineffectual
eagerness to obey the injunction to
speak and defend himself, gave
an expression to the face like that of
a condemned vestal Vestal priestess in the moment
of being secretly buried alive, and
in the first struggle against suffocation.
Though at the time Captain
Vere was quite ignonrant of Billy's
liability to vocal impediment, he now
immediatly divined it, since vividly
Billy's aspect it recalled to him that of a bright
young schoolmate of his whom he
had once seen struck by much the same
startling impotence in the act of eagerly
rising in the class to be foremost
in responce to a testing question put
to it by the master. Going close up to
the young sailor, and laying a soothing
hand on his shoulder, he deliberatly
said "There is no hurry, my boy. Take
your time, take your time." Contrary to
the effect intended, these words so
fatherly in tone, doubtless touching
Billy's heart to the quick, prompted
yet more violent efforts at utterance—
efforts soon ending for the time
in confirming the paralysis, and
bringing to his face an expression which
was as a crucifixion to behold. The next
rising in the class to be foremost
in responce to a testing question put
to it by the master. Going close up to
the young sailor, and laying a soothing
hand on his shoulder, he deliberatly
said "There is no hurry, my boy. Take
your time, take your time." Contrary to
the effect intended, these words so
fatherly in tone, doubtless touching
Billy's heart to the quick, prompted
yet more violent efforts at utterance—
efforts soon ending for the time
in confirming the paralysis, and
bringing to his face an expression which
was as a crucifixion to behold. The next
instant, quick as the flame from a
discharged cannon's cannon mouth at night , his right arm
shot out, and Claggart dropt dropped to the
deck. Whether intentionally or but
owing to the young athlete's superior
height, the blow had taken effect
full upon the forhead, so shapely and
intellectual-looking a feature in the Master-
at-arms; so that he the body fell over backward
lengthwise, like a heavy plank tilted
from erectness. A gasp or two, and he lay
motionless.
"Fated boy," breathed Captain
Vere in tones tone so low as to be almost a
whisper, "what have you done! But
here, help me."
discharged cannon's cannon mouth at night , his right arm
shot out, and Claggart dropt dropped to the
deck. Whether intentionally or but
owing to the young athlete's superior
height, the blow had taken effect
full upon the forhead, so shapely and
intellectual-looking a feature in the Master-
at-arms; so that he the body fell over backward
lengthwise, like a heavy plank tilted
from erectness. A gasp or two, and he lay
motionless.
"Fated boy," breathed Captain
Vere in tones tone so low as to be almost a
whisper, "what have you done! But
here, help me."
The twain raised the felled one
from the loins up into a sitting position.
The lean spare form flexibly acquiesed, but
inertly. It was like handling a dead
snake. They lowered it back. Regaining
erectness Captain Vere with one hand
covering his face stood to all appearance as impassive
as the object at his feet. Was he absorbed
in taking in all the bearings of the event
and what was best not only now at once
to be done, but also in the sequel? Slowly he
uncovered his face; and the effect was
as if the moon emerging from eclipse
should reappear with quite another
from the loins up into a sitting position.
The lean spare form flexibly acquiesed, but
inertly. It was like handling a dead
snake. They lowered it back. Regaining
erectness Captain Vere with one hand
covering his face stood to all appearance as impassive
as the object at his feet. Was he absorbed
in taking in all the bearings of the event
and what was best not only now at once
to be done, but also in the sequel? Slowly he
uncovered his face; and the effect was
as if the moon emerging from eclipse
should reappear with quite another
aspect than that which had gone into
hiding. The father in him, manifested
towards Billy thus far in the scene,
was replaced by the military disciplinarian.
In an his official tone he bade the
foretopman retire to a state-room
aft, ( pointing it out, ) and there remain
till thence summoned. And The This order Billy in silence
mechanically obeyed. Then going
to the cabin-door where it opened
on the quarter-deck, he Captain Vere said to the
sentry without, "Tell somebody to
send Albert here." When the lad
appeared his master so contrived
it that he should not catch sight of the
prone one. fallen man A ' " Albert, ' " he said to him,
hiding. The father in him, manifested
towards Billy thus far in the scene,
was replaced by the military disciplinarian.
In an his official tone he bade the
foretopman retire to a state-room
aft, ( pointing it out, ) and there remain
till thence summoned. And The This order Billy in silence
mechanically obeyed. Then going
to the cabin-door where it opened
on the quarter-deck, he Captain Vere said to the
sentry without, "Tell somebody to
send Albert here." When the lad
appeared his master so contrived
it that he should not catch sight of the
prone one. fallen man A ' " Albert, ' " he said to him,
"tell the Surgeon I wish to see him. You
need not come back till called."
When the Surgeon entered—a
self-poised man character of that grave sense
and experience that hardly anything
could surprise, take him aback —Captain Vere
advanced to meet him, thus unconsciously intercepting his view of Claggart and
and interrupting checking the other's wonted ceremonious salutation,
said, "Nay. Look, tell me how it is
with yonder man," pointing directing his attention to the
prostrate one. The Surgeon turned, and
need not come back till called."
When the Surgeon entered—a
self-poised man character of that grave sense
and experience that hardly anything
could surprise, take him aback —Captain Vere
advanced to meet him, thus unconsciously intercepting his view of Claggart and
and interrupting checking the other's wonted ceremonious salutation,
said, "Nay. Look, tell me how it is
with yonder man," pointing directing his attention to the
prostrate one. The Surgeon turned, and
The Surgeon
turned,
looked,
and for all his
self- possessed possession command of character , somewhat started at the
the abrupt revelation. spe spectacle. On Claggart's
always bleached pallid complexion, the d thick
black blood was now oozing from
nostril and ear. To the gazer's
professional eye death was patent it was
unmistakably a corpse no living man that he saw.
"Is it so then? said Captain
Vere intently watching him . , "I thought it."
But verify it." Whereupon the customary
tests confirmed the Surgeon's first glance.
Captain Vere stood motionless . , The
other who now looking up in unfeined
concern, cast an inq cast a look
of intense inquisitivness upon his
superior.
self- possessed possession command of character , somewhat started at the
the abrupt revelation. spe spectacle. On Claggart's
always bleached pallid complexion, the d thick
black blood was now oozing from
nostril and ear. To the gazer's
professional eye death was patent it was
unmistakably a corpse no living man that he saw.
"Is it so then? said Captain
Vere intently watching him . , "I thought it."
But verify it." Whereupon the customary
tests confirmed the Surgeon's first glance.
Captain Vere stood motionless . , The
other who now looking up in unfeined
concern, cast an inq cast a look
of intense inquisitivness upon his
superior.
But Captain Vere, with one hand to his
brow, was standing motionless.
Suddenly, seizing catching the the Surgeon's xx arm
convulsively, he exclaimed, pointing
down to the body— Look "It is the divine
judgement on Ananias! " Look!
"But how, how — ?
"Thus it was," said Captain Vere
Di Disturbed by the his an the excited
manner so unwonted in the speaker
he had never before observed in the
" Indomitable IndomitablesHS " Captain, and as yet
wholly ignorant of the affair,
the prudent Surgeon nevertheless held his
peace, only casting again looking an earnest
interrogatory as to what it was that
it was that had resulted in such
a tragedy.
brow, was standing motionless.
Suddenly, seizing catching the the Surgeon's xx arm
convulsively, he exclaimed, pointing
down to the body— Look "It is the divine
judgement on Ananias! " Look!
"But how, how — ?
"Thus it was," said Captain Vere
Di Disturbed by the his an the excited
manner so unwonted in the speaker
he had never before observed in the
" Indomitable IndomitablesHS " Captain, and as yet
wholly ignorant of the affair,
the prudent Surgeon nevertheless held his
peace, only casting again looking an earnest
interrogatory as to what it was that
it was that had resulted in such
a tragedy.
But Captain Vere was
now
again motionless
and standing absorbed in thought. But again
starting, he exc vehemently exclaimed —
Billy Budd was the angel of God
Righteously He was "Struck dead as by the an angel of
God! Y Yet the angel must hang!
At these passionate interjections , mere
incoherences to the S the listener as
yet unapprised of the antecedents, the
Surgeon was profoundly discomposed.
"Sir" said he But becoming now less
ex xxHS passionate , Captain Vere and now as
reccolecting himself, the Captain Vere
in less passionate tone briefly related
the circumstances leading up to the event.
and standing absorbed in thought. But again
starting, he exc vehemently exclaimed —
Billy Budd was the angel of God
Righteously He was "Struck dead as by the an angel of
God! Y Yet the angel must hang!
At these passionate interjections , mere
incoherences to the S the listener as
yet unapprised of the antecedents, the
Surgeon was profoundly discomposed.
"Sir" said he But becoming now less
ex xxHS passionate , Captain Vere and now as
reccolecting himself, the Captain Vere
in less passionate tone briefly related
the circumstances leading up to the event.
But come; we must despatch," he added.
Help me to remove mea him (meaning the body) to yonder compartment,
designating the one opposite that where
the foretopman remained immured.
Anew disturbed by a p a request that
seemed so under the seemed so strange
as implying a desire for secrecy, seemed
unaccountably strange to him, there was
nothing for the subordinate to do but
Thxx lxx allow lxxm to say
no comply.—"Go now" said
Captain Vere with something of his
wonted manner—Go now. I I
shall presently call a drum-head court. Tell
the lieutenants what has happened, and
tell the Captain Mr Mordant," meaning
the captain of marines," and charge them
Help me to remove mea him (meaning the body) to yonder compartment,
designating the one opposite that where
the foretopman remained immured.
Anew disturbed by a p a request that
seemed so under the seemed so strange
as implying a desire for secrecy, seemed
unaccountably strange to him, there was
nothing for the subordinate to do but
Thxx lxx allow lxxm to say
no comply.—"Go now" said
Captain Vere with something of his
wonted manner—Go now. I I
shall presently call a drum-head court. Tell
the lieutenants what has happened, and
tell the Captain Mr Mordant," meaning
the captain of marines," and charge them
to keep the matter to themselves."