Captain: Well, I hope so. There's threatening in the weather. Have you a mind To hug your belly to the slanted deck, Like a louse on a whip-top, when the boat Spins on an axle in the hissing gales? Thomas: Fear not. 'Tis likely indeed that storms are now Plotting against our voyage; ay, no doubt The very bottom of the sea prepares To stand up mountainous or reach a limb Out of his night of water and huge shingles, That he and the waves may break our keel. Fear not; Like those who manage horses, I've a word Will fasten up within their evil natures The meanings of the winds and waves and reefs. Captain: You have a talisman? I have one too; I know not if the storms think much of it. I may be shark's meat yet. And would your spell Be daunting to a cuttle, think you now? We had a bout with one on our way here; It had green lidless eyes like lanterns, arms As many as the branches of a tree, But limber, and each one of them wise as a snake. It laid hold of our bulwarks, and with three Long knowing arms, slimy, and of a flesh So tough they'ld fool a hatchet, searcht the ship, And stole out of the midst of us all a man; Yes, and he the proudest man upon the seas For the rare powerful talisman he'd got. And would yours have done better? Thomas: I am one Not easily frightened. I'm for India. You will not put me from my way with talk. Captain: My heart, I never thought of frightening you.-- Well, here's both tide and wind, and we may not start. Thomas: Not start? I pray you, do. Captain: It's no use praying; I dare not. I've not half my cargo yet. Thomas: What do you wait for, then? Captain: A carpenter. Thomas: You are talking strangely. Captain: But not idly. I might as well broach all my blood at once Here as I stand, as sail to India back Without a carpenter on board;--O strangely Wise are our kings in the killing of men! Thomas: But does your king then need a carpenter? Captain: Yes, for he dreamed a dream; and like a man Who, having eaten poison, and with all Force of his life turned out the crazing drug, Has only a weak and wrestled nature left That gives in foolishly to some bad desire A healthy man would laugh at; so our king Is left desiring by his venomous dream. But, being a king, the whole land aches with him. Thomas: What dream was that?