Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Seaman
I would have men of such constancy put to sea that their business might be everything, and their intent every where; for that’s it that always makes a good voyage of nothing.
Shakespeare.—Twelfth Night, Act II. Scene 4. (Clown to the Duke.)
By strength of heart, the sailor fights with roaring seas.
Wordsworth.—The Excursion, Book IV. Page 122.
Now, hoist the anchor, mates—and let the sails
Give their broad bosom to the buxom wind,
Like lass that woos a lover.
Scott.—Peveril of the Peak, Chap. XIX.
Well, then, our course is chosen—spread the sail—
Heave oft the lead, and mark the soundings well;
Look to the helm, good master—many a shoal
Marks this stern coast, and rocks where sits the siren,
Who, like ambition, lures men to their ruin.
Scott.—Kenilworth, Chap. XVII.
Chance will not do the work—chance sends the breeze,
But if the pilot slumber at the helm,
The very wind that wafts us towards the port
May dash us on the shelves—the steersman’s part
Is vigilance, blow it rough or smooth.
Scott.—Fortunes of Nigel, Chap. XXII.
On the lee-beam lies the land, boys,
See all clear to reef each course;
Let the foresheet go, don’t mind, boys,
Though the weather should be worse.
Scott.—St. Ronan’s Well, Chap. XXXIII.
So puts himself into the shipmate’s toil,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
Shakespeare.—Pericles, Act I. Scene 3. (Helicanus to Thaliard.)
A man whom both the waters and the wind,
In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball
For them to play upon.
Shakespeare.—Pericles, Act II. Scene 1. (Pericles to the Fisherman.)