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122 
Floral Poetry. 
HOLLY AND IVY. 
PART I. 
H OLLY and Ivy made a great party, 
Who should have the mastery 
In lands where they go. 
Then spake the Holly, “ I am fierce and jolly, 
I will have the mastery 
In lands where we go.” 
Then spake Ivy, “ I am loud and proud, 
And I will have the mastery 
In lands where we go.” 
Then spake Holly, and bent him down on his knee, 
“ I pray thee, gentle Ivy, 
Essay me no villany 
In lands where we go.” 
PART II. — THE REPLY. 
Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis, 
Let Holly have the mastery as the manner is. 
Holly standeth in the hail fair to behold, 
Ivy standeth 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. 
Holly he hath berries as red as any rose, 
The foresters, the hunters, keep them from the does. 
Nay, Ivy, nay, &c. 
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