Starbuck is without a confessor, 

He is the man in between.

Below him: fools, even Queequeg,

Above him: a madman.

As for myself, I am of no consequence,

I observe and defer to fate.

These currents off the Japan coast

Are promising, we could fill our barrels,

Then make sail for Nantucket, 

But no, we hail passing whalers,

Ask the question, hear the answer:

Have you seen the White Whale? No!

We fools carry on while Starbuck

Consumes himself no less than does Ahab.