Chapter II: Appendix: Letter from Sir Walter Scott

TO THE DOWAGER LADY CHATTERTON.

CASTLE MAHON.

THEE, Lady, would I lead through Fairy-land
(Whence cold and doubting reasoners are exiled,)
A land of dreams, with air-built castles piled;
The moonlight SHEFROS there, in merry band
With artful CLURICAUNE, should ready stand
To welcome thee—Imagination’s child!
Till on thy ear would burst so sadly wild
The BANSHEE’S shriek, who points with wither’d hand.
In the dim twilight should the PHOOKA come,
Whose dusky form fades in the sunny light,
That opens clear calm LAKES upon thy sight,
Where blessed spirits dwell in endless bloom.
I know thee, Lady—thou wilt not deride
Such Fairy Scenes.—Then onward with thy Guide.

T. Crofton Croker. [signature]

Irish FAIRY LEGENDS.

FAIRY LEGENDS.

THE SHEFRO.

————————“Fairy Elves
Whose midnight revels, by a forest side
Or fountain some belated peasant sees,
Or dreams he sees, while over-head the Moon
Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth
Wheels her pale course.”—
MILTON.

LEGENDS OF THE SHEFRO.

THE LEGEND OF KNOCKSHEOGOWNA.