IX 



I. AQUIFOLIUM 

 The Holly as a Subject for the Poet 



POETS have not neglected the Holly, and 

 the following verses of songs, ballads, 

 carols, etc., have been selected for 

 quotation : 



The first consists of four verses from a song 

 entitled The Ivy and the Holly Girl, by John 

 Keegan, a clever Irish peasant poet who lived in 

 the early part of the last century, and, like Burns, 

 composed his poetry in the intervals of peasant 

 labour. ( See Irish Songs and Song Writers by 

 C. M. Collins, p. 276.) 



" Come buy my nice fresh Ivy and my Holly sprigs so green, 

 I have the finest branches that ever yet were seen, 

 Come buy from me, good Christians, and let me home, I pray, 

 And I'll wish < Merry Christmas Time ' and a ' Happy New 

 Year's Day.' 



Ah ! won't you buy my Ivy? the loveliest ever seen ! 



Ah ! won't you buy my Holly boughs all you who love the 



green ! 



Do take a little bunch of each, and on my knees I'll pray, 

 That God may bless your Christmas, and be your 'New 



Year's Day.' 



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