FOLK-LORE FROM UNST. 199 



forfeit in the shape of piling a lot of rubbish on the 

 back of the unfortunate person who chanced to hold 

 the torch when it went out — he standing on all fours 

 to represent a horse. It was a sort of saddling and 

 burdening him." 



I ought to explain the use of " de," " dy," and " do " 

 in the rhymes of " Jocky-be-laund." These words 

 are the "thee, thy, thou" which take the place of 

 "you," &c., in all familiar or affectionate conversation. 

 This form of address is commonly used in Shetland, 

 as in Germany and France. 



CHAPTER III. 



I AM indebted to my old nurse for a great many stories 

 of Trows and witches. Also for one or two Norse 

 rhymes. Some of the Norse words in those rhymes 

 have been lost, and Lowland Scotch substituted, but 

 there is a great deal of the true Norland sound left. 

 Here are three verses (alas ! all that is remembered of 

 what I am told was a long ballad or song) which carry 

 me back to happy infancy, when the voice that chanted 

 was clear and youthful : — 



" Saina poba wer-a 

 Leetra mavie, Leetra mavie, 

 Saina poba wer-a 

 Leetra mavie drengie. 



Daala stuy-ta stonga rara 

 Oh — badeea, oh — badeea, 

 Daala stuy-ta stonga rara 

 Oh — badeea moyuie. 



