258 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



and in "The Tempest," when Pros per o compares 

 his false brother with the ivy : 



The ivy, which had hid my princely trunk, 

 And suck'd my verdure out on 't. 1 



In the old carols and plays Ivy is always repre- 

 sented as a woman, and yet, although beloved, was 

 used for the outside decorations and doorways. Ivy 

 never had the place within that holly occupied. 



As ivy clings and embraces the object near it, the 

 plant was chosen as an emblem of confiding love 

 and friendship. Tusser's commands are as follows : 

 "Get Ivy and Holly, women, deck up thy house." 

 Ivy was also used in the church decorations at Chris- 

 mas-tide. In the Middle Ages ivy was a favored and 

 most auspicious plant. An old carol says: 



Ivy is soft and meke of speech, 



Against all bale she is bliss, 

 Well is he that her may reach: 



Veni, coronaberis. 



Ivy is green with color bright, 



Of all trees best she is, 

 And that I prove will now be right: 



Feni, coronaberis. 



Ivy beareth berries black, 



God grant us all His bliss, 

 For there we shall nothing lack: ; 



Veni, coronaberis. 

 * Act I, Scene II. 



