- description
- # CHAPTER XLI. Chiefly Of Sing Bello
## Overview
This is Chapter XLI, titled "Chiefly Of Sing Bello," from Herman Melville's novel, [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJ8ZNB03D0FWFP362WQEN). It spans lines 5569 to 5804 of its source text file.
## Context
This chapter is part of the larger work [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJ8ZNB03D0FWFP362WQEN), which is included in the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The text for this chapter was extracted from the digital file [mardi_vol2.txt](arke:01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9). It follows [CHAPTER XL. Of The Sorcerers In The Isle Of Minda](arke:01KG8AJSXQJSFA54DV177XKGV2) and precedes [CHAPTER XLII. Dominora And Vivenza](arke:01KG8AJSXQTZPWX11M50TBJN7B) within the novel's sequence.
## Contents
The chapter details the ongoing variance between King Media and "old Bello of the Hump," ruler of Dominora, originating from a dispute over a barren islet. It describes the failed diplomatic attempts involving "plenipos" (plenipotentiaries) and the subsequent postponement of hostilities due to strategic considerations. The narrative characterizes King Bello as a "testy, quarrelsome, rapacious old monarch" who frequently interferes in the affairs of other islands, particularly Porpheero, under the guise of maintaining the "Equipoise of Calabashes." The chapter also touches upon Bello's extensive geographical explorations and his powerful navy, which he uses to assert dominion over the entire Lagoon, leading to conflicts with other nations like Vivenza over issues of allegiance and maritime control.
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- CHAPTER XLI. Chiefly Of Sing Bello
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- CHAPTER XLI.
Chiefly Of Sing Bello