| KJ II.i.26 | [Austria to Arthur, of England] hedged in with the main |
| MV V.i.97 | [Portia to Nerissa] an inland brook [empties itself] / Into the main of waters |
| Oth II.i.3 | [First Gentleman to Montano] I cannot 'twixt the heaven and the main / Descry a sail |
| Oth II.i.39 | [Montano to all] throw out our eyes for brave Othello, / Even till we make the main and th'aerial blue / An indistinct regard |
| R3 I.iv.20 | [Clarence to Keeper] Gloucester ... / Struck me ... overboard / Into the tumbling billows of the main |
| Sonn.64.7 | [] the firm soil win of the wat'ry main |
| Sonn.80.8 | [of a rival poet] My saucy bark (inferior far to his) / On your broad main doth wilfully appear |