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Yew’s sombre, darksome branches seem always to have been 
deemed emblematical of death and mourning. Heii’ick thus 
plaintively addresses the Yew and Cypresse. 
Both you two have 
Relation to the grave; 
And where 
The fun’rale trump sounds, you are there. 
I shall be made 
Ere long a fleeting shade; 
Pray come 
And doe some honour to my tomb. 
Do not deny 
My last request, for I 
Will be 
Thankful to you, or friends for me. 
With far gladder feelings and memories do we meet the 
Holly’s glossy and shining leaves; they tell us of Christmas 
merry-makings and kindly greetings; and though too many 
of the gleesome old customs have passed away, yet Christmas 
is still a festive season. The Laurel, too, is both an Autumn 
friend and a Christmas guest. We will quote Henick again ; 
he wished a Laurel-tree to grow upon his grave. 
A funerale stone 
Or verse I covet none; 
But only crave 
Of you that I may have 
A sacred laurel springing from my grave; 
G G 2 
