Yea, foolish mortals, Noah's flood is not yet subsided; two thirds of the fair world it yet covers. - Herman Melville

and Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.

For, as when the red-cheeked, dancing girls, April and May, trip home to the wintry, misanthropic woods; even the barest, ruggedest, most thunder-cloven old oak will at least send forth some few green sprouts to welcome such glad-hearted visitants.

if you gobern de shark in you, why den you be angel; for all angel is not'ing more dan de shark well goberned.