Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/197

 120. To the Virginian Voyage

You brave heroic minds Worthy your country's name, That honour still pursue; Go and subdue! Whilst loitering hinds Lurk here at home with shame.

Britons, you stay too long: Quickly aboard bestow you, And with a merry gale Swell your stretch'd sail With vows as strong As the winds that blow you.

Your course securely steer, West and by south forth keep! Rocks, lee-shores, nor shoals When Eolus scowls You need not fear; So absolute the deep.

And cheerfully at sea Success you still entice To get the pearl and gold, And ours to hold Virginia, Earth's only paradise.

Where nature hath in store Fowl, venison, and fish, And the fruitfull'st soil Without your toil Three harvests more, All greater than your wish.