Returning to England in 1897, Masefield found employment as a bank clerk. However his wages were low and he was often found to be in ill health. He suffered from bouts of depression, longing for the countryside but required to live in the city. Art became a passion for Masefield and he often saw himself as a critic, and spent many hours in museums, while continuing to write. By the time he was 21, his poem, Nicias Morituras was accepted for publication. This poem was later revised and appeared in his collection, �Salt Water Ballads� as �The Turn of the Tide.�

It was at this time that Masefield discovered the poetry of William Butler Yeats. He became so enamoured with the works of Yeats that he determined to meet the great Irish poet and made efforts to do so, which resulted in an invitation to Yeats� home in London. Yeats and Masefield went on to become great friends for the rest of their lives, corresponding and visiting frequently. Yeats encouraged Masefield�s literary dreams and became a mentor to him. There is no doubt that this friendship had some bearing on the future success of Masefield, as he soon became an important part of Yeat�s inner circle of close friends which included older and experienced poets, literaries and publishers - figures that Masefield would often call upon for advice.