Ishmael muses:
And, doubtless, my going on this whaling voyage, formed part of the grand programme of Providence that was drawn up a long time ago. It came in as a sort of brief interlude and solo between more extensive performances. I take it that this part of the bill must have run something like this:
GRAND CONTESTED ELECTION FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES
WHALING VOYAGE BY ONE ISHMAEL
BLOODY BATTLE IN AFFGHANISTAN
Moby-Dick, Chapter 1: Loomings, by Herman Melville