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NEW ATLANTIS.
WEE sayled from Peru, (wher wee had con∣tinued by the space of one whole yeare,) for China and Iapan, by the South Sea; ta∣king with vs Victuals for twelue Mo∣neths; And had good Windes from the East, though soft and weake, for fiue Mo∣neths space, and more. But then the Winde came about, and setled in the West for many dayes, so as we could make little or no way, and were sometimes in pur∣pose to turne back. But then againe ther arose Strong and Great Windes from the South, with a Point East; which carried vs vp, (for all that we could doe) towards the North: By which time our Victualls failed vs, though we had made good spare of them. So that finding our selues, in the Midst of the greatest Wildernesse of Waters in the World, without Victuall, we gaue our Selues for lost Men, and prepared for Death. Yet we did lift vp our Harts and Voices to GOD aboue, who sheweth his Wonders in the Deepe; Beseeching him of his Mercy, that as in the Begin∣ning He discouered the Face of the Deepe, and brought forth Dry-Land; So he would now discouer Land to vs, that we mought not perish. And it came to passe, that the next Day about Euening, we saw within a Kenning before vs, to∣wards the North, as it were thick Cloudes, which did put vs in some hope of Land; Knowing how that part of the South Sea was vtterly vnknowne; And might haue Islands, or Continents, that hithertoo were not come to light.