Melville-tradamus

I've been rereading Moby Dick on the beach. I quote to you from pg. 6 of the Wordsworth Classics edition:

"...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 Afghanistan.'

Though I cannot tell why it was exactly that those stage managers, the Fates, put me down for this shabby part of a whaling voyage, when others were set down for magnificent parts on high tragedies..."