02. A Stranger at the Inn | Moby-Dick Act I: The Call of the Sea

[The Scene] Queequeg arrives at the inn and finds himself sharing a room with Ishmael, whose unease is immediately obvious. Accustomed to being judged by strangers before they know him, Queequeg responds with patience rather than anger. He watches Ishmael’s suspicion gradually soften as the two men remain in each other’s company, leaving the possibility of trust where there had first been fear. [Verse 1] I crossed the threshold, rain upon my coat, And saw your guarded eyes take careful note. You watched my face as though I brought a threat, Before a single word between us met. [Verse 2] I know that look, for I have known it long, A judgement formed before I speak a song. You measure every marking on my skin, And close your heart before you let me in. [Chorus] Look once again, and see me as I stand, A stranger far from those who knew my land. I ask no favour, only room tonight, To share the shelter, warmth and common light. [Verse 3] I do not ask you now to understand, The miles that carried me from distant land. I need no praise to justify my right, To share a room beneath this roof tonight. [Verse 4] I keep my silence while I sense your fear, And wait until you choose to venture near. I see the question living in your eyes, You veil it, yet your silence wears no disguise. [Chorus] Look once again, and see me as I stand, A stranger far from those who knew my land. I ask no favour, only room tonight, To share the shelter, warmth and common light. [Verse 5] I have seen wary faces change before, When fear no longer guards the bolted door. So I will wait and let the silence end, For strangers sometimes stand beside a friend. [Outro] Tonight you see a stranger in this room, A foreign shadow moving through the gloom. I keep my patience, steady as the sea, And leave the morning free to answer me.