"ICICLES HANG BY THE WALL" 265 



the Roman times. The wood was used for delicate 

 inlay in the days of the Renaissance and also for 

 making musical instruments. 



Box is thought to be the assur-wood of the Bible. 

 There is authority for using greenery in church deco- 

 ration for in Isaiah we read: "The glory of 

 Lebanon shall come unto thee ; the fir-tree, the pine- 

 tree, and the box together to beautify the place of 

 my sanctuary; and I will make the places of my 

 feet glorious." l 



To dream of box, according to the astrologers of 

 Shakespeare's time, signified a happy marriage, long 

 life, and prosperity. 



Box was used for decoration in the Tudor and 

 Stuart days and succeeded the Christmas garlands, 

 as Herrick sings in the time of Charles I, at Candle- 

 mas (February 2) : 



Down with the Rosemary and Bays, 



Down with the Mistletoe, 

 Instead of Holly now upraise 



The greener Box for show. 



The Holly hitherto did sway, 



Let Box now domineer 

 Until the dancing Easter Day 



On Easter eve appear. 



'Chap. LX, v. 13. 



