 | Mediaeval Carols |  |
44
55. Ivy is good
Ivy is good and glad to see,
Ivy is fair in his degree.
Ivy is fair in his degree.
1
Ivy is both fair and greenIn winter and in summer also;
And it is medecinable I ween,
Who knew the virtues that long there-to:
Ivy: it is good and lusty
And in his kind a well good tree.
2
Ivy hath virtues full good;Namely, spreading over the ground;
Whether it be in town or wood,
It helpeth the sore and maketh sound:
Ivy: in book is found full sikerly
That green is gladsome to see.
3
When other trees most del fail,Then beareth Ivy his berries full bold;
In great stormës of snow and hail
It sparës for no weather's cold:
Ivy: to bring forth fruit full properly,
To beast and bird full great plenty.
4
The fairest bird that flieth by sky,For gladness of that lusty tree,
Might make his nest in green Ivy
To nourish his birdës fair and free:
Ivy: Therein is covert well privy
To comfort him that there will be.
5
Where it taketh hold it keepeth fastAnd strenketh it that is him by;
It keepeth wall from cost and waste,
As men may see all day at hye:
Ivy: I can tell no cause why
But we must love that gentle tree.
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