[852] The sea-water on the coast of the Isle of Man is singularly pure and beautiful.—W. W. 1837.
XVII
ISLE OF MAN
[My son William[853] is here the person alluded to as saving the life of the youth, and the circumstances were as mentioned in the Sonnet.—I. F.]
A youth too certain of his power to wade
On the smooth bottom of this clear bright sea,[854]
To sight so shallow, with a bather's glee,
Leapt from this rock, and but for timely aid
He, by the alluring element betrayed, 5
Had perished. Then might Sea-nymphs (and with sighs
Of self-reproach) have chanted elegies[855]
Bewailing his sad fate, when he was laid[856]
In peaceful earth: for, doubtless, he was frank,
Utterly in himself devoid of guile; 10
Knew not the double-dealing of a smile;
Nor aught that makes men's promises a blank,
Or deadly snare: and He survives to bless
The Power that saved him in his strange distress.
FOOTNOTES:
[853] But it was his son John, and not William, who accompanied the poet in this Tour. See the first Fenwick note (p. [342]).—Ed.
[854] 1835.
... that his feet could wade
At will the flow of this pellucid sea,
MS.