Sir Walter Scott (Marmion, Canto II. st. 13.) thus alludes to the legend:
"Then Whitby's nuns exulting told,
How to their house three Barons bold
Must menial service do;
While horns blow out a note of shame,
And monks cry 'Fye upon your name!
In wrath, for loss of silvan game,
Saint Hilda's priest ye slew.'—
'This on Ascension Day, each year,
While labouring on our harbour pier,