CHRISTMAS CAROL.
HOLLY AND IVY.
I.
Holly and Ivy made a great party,
Who should have the mastery
In lands where they go.
Then spake Holly, “I am fierce and jolly,
I will have the mastery
In lands where we go!”
Then spake Ivy, “I am loud and proud,
And I will have the mastery
In lands where we go!”
Then spake Holly, and bent down on his knee,
“I pray thee, gentle Ivy, essay me no villainy,
In lands where we go!”
II.
Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis,
Let Holly have the mastery, as the manner is.
Holly standeth in the hall fair to behold;
Ivy stands without the door, she is full sore a cold.
Nay, Ivy, nay, etc., etc.
Holly and his merry men, they dance now and they sing;
Ivy and her maidens they weep and their hands wring.
Nay, Ivy, nay, etc., etc.
Ivy hath a lyke,[[15]] she caught it with the cold,
So may they all have that do with Ivy hold.
Nay, Ivy, nay, etc., etc.
Holly he hath berries as red as any rose,
The foresters, the hunters, keep them for the does.
Nay, Ivy, nay, etc., etc.
Ivy she hath berries as black as any sloe,
There come the owls and eat them as they goe.
Nay, Ivy, nay, etc., etc.
Holly he hath birds, a full, fair flock,
The nightingale, the popinjay, the gentle laverock.
Nay, Ivy, nay, etc., etc.
Good Ivy say to us what bird hath thou;
None but the owlet that cries How! How!
Dating in the 14th century.