Where corals lie

Subject: Where corals lie
From: GUEST,Murilo
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 07:44 PM

Could anyone tell me what does "spry" mean in Richard Garnett's poem
"Where corals lie", set to music by Elgar:
The deeps have music soft and low
When winds awake the airy spry,
It lures me, lures me on to go
And see the land where corals lie.
(...)
"Spry" seems here a noun, I think, not an adjective(=active, nimble).
Thanks for help.
Murilo

Subject: RE: Where corals lie
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 07:55 PM

I don't know the poem or to what/whom he is actually referring, but it probably means those who are spry, like 'the wise' or 'the tired'.

Subject: RE: Where corals lie
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 07:58 PM

Spry is an alternate spelling for spray. See Oxford English Dictionary.

Subject: RE: Where corals lie
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 12:29 AM

Thanks, Q. That makes good sense.

Subject: RE: Where corals lie
From: GUEST,Murilo
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 06:58 AM

Thanks, Q. Thanks, Jeri. Thanks, leeneia. I also think spry=spray makes good, or rather, great sense: a fine poetic image.
Murilo