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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SICK ROSE, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE SEA-MEW by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE WEARY BLUES by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES ON A FLY DRINKING FROM HIS CUP by WILLIAM OLDYS DANAIDES: THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND EARTH by AESCHYLUS BLACKMWORE MAIDENS by WILLIAM BARNES THE LOST COLORS by MARY A. BARR TO MARY; OCCASIONED BY HER HAVING ENGRAVED ON A SEAL 'FORGET ME NOT' by BERNARD BARTON |