Down with the Rosemary and Bayes, Down with the Misleto; In stead of Holly, now up-raise The greener Box (for show.) The Holly hitherto did sway; Let Box now domineere; Untill the dancing Easter-day, Or Easters Eve appeare. Then youthfull Box which now hath grace, Your houses to renew; Grown old, surrender must his place, Unto the crisped Yew. When Yew is out, then Birch comes in, And many Flowers beside; Both of a fresh, and fragrant kinne To honour Whitsontide. Green Rushes then, and sweetest Bents, With cooler Oken boughs; Come in for comely ornaments, To re-adorn the house. Thus times do shift; each thing his turne do's hold; New things succeed, as former things grow old. |