It was on Burray's seabeat Isle,
Where Fairies dwelt in days of yore,
That Richard's lowly cottage stood,
Near where old Neptune's briny flood
Loud dash'd the sounding shore.
Though Richard's hair was blanch'd by time,
And Richard's furrow'd cheek was pale,
Yet pity's gentle pow'r he felt,
And still his kind old heart could melt
At sorrow's tender tale,
(Extract)
Author's Note: The Inhabitants of Zetland [Shetland] suppose their hills to be haunted by certain fantastical beings, whom they denominate Bokies, and Fairy-folk, or Fairies: the former of whom are imagined to be spirits of Evil, and the latter spirits of Good.