The Dying Whale — Moby-Dick

When lucky ships sail close, even drooping crews sometimes catch a good breeze. That is what happens to the Pequod the day after meeting the Bachelor. Whales are seen and four are killed. Ahab kills one of them himself. The fight ends far down in the afternoon. The sun and the dying whale fade together in a lovely sunset. The rosy air feels full of evening prayers, sweet and sad at once.

Ahab sits in his boat watching the whale's last moments. Sperm whales have a strange habit when they die. They turn their heads toward the sun. Ahab watches the slow, steady bow of homage. He says the whale worships fire like a faithful vassal of the sun. Then he sees something else. As soon as the whale is dead, its body whirls around and faces another direction. The noble last gesture does not control what comes after.

Ahab talks to the dark half of nature and to the sea itself. He says the whale's hip and rainbow jet strive in vain. The sun calls life but does not give it back. Still the darker faith rocks him. He feels buoyed by the breath of dead things now turned to water. At the end he hails the sea forever. He says hills and valleys mothered him, but the billows are his foster-brothers.