Many were the wit-combates betwixt him and Ben Jonson, which two I behold like a Spanish great Gallion, and an English man of War;... Master Jonson (like the former) was built far higher in Learning; Solid but Slow in his performances. Shakespeare with the English-man of War, lesser in bulk, but lighter in sailing, could turn with all tides, tack about and take advantage of all winds, by the quickness of his Wit and Imagination.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
He is the best sailor who can steer within the fewest points of the wind, and extract a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.... Most begin to veer and tack as soon as the wind changes from aft, and as within the tropics it does not blow from all points of the compass, there are some harbors which they can never reach.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
For hours, in fall days, I watched the ducks cunningly tack and veer and hold the middle of the pond, far from the sportsman;... b...ut what beside safety they got by sailing in the middle of Walden I do not know, unless they love its water for the same reason that I do.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »