Isle Of Man

[My son William 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, To sight so shallow, with a bather's glee, Leapt from this rock, and but for timely aid He, by the alluring element betrayed, Had perished. Then might Sea-nymphs (and with sighs Of self-reproach) have chanted elegies Bewailing his sad fate, when he was laid In peaceful earth: for, doubtless, he was frank, Utterly in himself devoid of guile; 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.