"Stay the Course"

[Douglas G. Wilson]

"Brooklyn Daily Eagle", 29 Aug. 1886, p. 1, col. 2: "International Sculling
Races":

<<When asked as to his capacity for endurance Beach replied: "I think I can
stay the course.">>

----------

I suppose this is the sense in question: quasi-transitive "stay" = "remain
[for]"/"endure" as in "stay the course", "stay the distance".

In the 'opposite' sense with "stay" = "restrain"/"halt", it's "stay the
course OF [something]".

-- Doug Wilson