He is at his best in writing of the sea.
He says of the explorers on first setting sail:
Now were they sailing o'er wide ocean bright,
The restless waves dividing as they flew;
The winds were breathing prosperous and light,
The vessels' hollow sails were filled to view;
The seas were covered o'er with foaming white
Where the advancing prows were cutting through
The consecrated waters of the deep....
Thus went we forth these unknown seas to explore,