Holly, Yew and Box 



Who-so-ever ageynst Holly do sing 

 He may wepe and handys wryng, 

 Alleluia ! " 

 See English Mediceval Ballad in Plant Lore. 



The next verse is attributed to R. J. Thorn. 



" From every hedge is pluck'd by eager hands 

 The Holly branch with prickly leaves replete, 

 And fraught with berries of a crimson hue \ 

 Which, torn asunder from its parent trunk, 

 Is straightway taken to the neighb'ring town, 

 Where windows, mantels, candlesticks, and shelves, 

 Quarts, pints, decanters, pipkins, basins, jugs, 

 And other articles of household ware, 

 The verdant garb confess." 



In Tennysoris In Memoriam the following lines 

 occur in stanza xxx. 9 



" With trembling fingers did we weave 

 The Holly round the Christmas Hearth." 



Then in stanza Ixxviii. we find, 



" Again at Christmas did we weave 

 The Holly round the Christmas Hearth." 



Whilst later on in stanza, cv., the lines occur, 



" To-night ungather'd let us leave 

 This Laurel, let this Holly stand." 



With writers of Christmas Carols the Holly 

 has always been a favourite subject, and on many 

 occasions it has been mentioned, since the first 

 one we have any record of appeared in the reign 

 of Henry VI. The last I have noticed is by 



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