HERE COMES HOLLY. [THIS ancient piece is taken from Mr. Wright's early volume of Carols. The spelling has been a little modernised.] ERE comes Holly, that is so gent,1 To please all men is his intent. Alleluia! But Lord and Lady of this hall, Alleluia ! Whosoever against Holly doth cry, Whosoever against Holly doth sing, Alleluia! } 'Gallant, courteous. 2 A large fruit basket. NAY, IVY, NAY! [THIS quaint Carol is of the time of Henry VI. Stow says, every man's house of olde time was decked with Holly and Ivie in the winter, especially at Christmas." It appears that formerly it was the custom at this season to set up in each village a long pole, decked with Holly and Ivy, after the fashion of the May-pole in summer time. From the Stationer's books we learn that W. Copland paid 4d. for a licence from the company, to print "A ballette entitled holy and hyve."] AY, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis, Let Holly have the mastery as the man ner is. Holly standeth in the hall fair to behold, Ivy stands without the door; she is full sore a cold. Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. Holly and his merry men, they dance now and they sing; Ivy and her maidens, they weep, and their hands wring. Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. Ivy hath a lybe,1 she caught it with the cold, Holly he hath berries, as red as any rose, The foresters, the hunters, keep them from the does. Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. Ivy she hath berries as black as any sloe, There come the owls and eat them as they go. Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. Holly he hath birds a full fair flock, The nightingale, the poppinjay, the gentle laverock. Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. Good Ivy, say to us, what birds hast thou, Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. This word is not explained by any glossary. L [WE are indebted to Shakespeare's pen for this pleasing little piece.] B LOW, blow, thou winter wind, Thou art not so unkind As man's ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Heigh, ho! sing heigh, ho! unto the green holly: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly; Then, heigh, ho! the holly! This life is most jolly. Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, Thou dost not bite so nigh As benefits forgot: |