Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden

George Wither (1588–1667)

Extracts from Hallelujah: When We Are upon the Seas

1ON those great waters now I am,

Of which I have been told,

That whosoever thither came

Should wonders there behold.

In this unsteady place of fear,

Be present, Lord, with me;

For in these depths of water here

I depths of danger see.

2A stirring courser now I sit,

A headstrong steed I ride,

That champs and foams upon the bit

Which curbs his lofty pride.

The softest whistling of the winds

Doth make him gallop fast;

And as their breath increased he finds

The more he maketh haste.

3Take Thou, oh Lord! the reins in hand,

Assume our Master’s room;

Vouchsafe Thou at our helm to stand,

And pilot to become.

Trim Thou the sails, and let good speed

Accompany our haste;

Sound Thou the channels at our need,

And anchor for us cast.

4A fit and favourable wind

To further us provide;

And let it wait on us behind,

Or lackey by our side.

From sudden gusts, from storms, from sands,

And from the raging wave;

From shallows, rocks, and pirates’ hands,

Men, goods, and vessel save.

5Preserve us from the wants, the fear,

And sickness of the seas;

But chiefly from our sins, which are

A danger worse than these.

Lord! let us also safe arrive

Where we desire to be;

And for Thy mercies let us give

Due thanks and praise to Thee.