Classic Poem

Down with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the mistletoe;
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box for show.

The holly hitherto did sway;
Let box now domineer;
Until the dancing Easter-day
Or Easter's eve appear.

Then youthful box which now hath grace
Your houses to renew,
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crispèd yew.

When yew is out, then birch comes in,
And many flowers beside,
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin
To honour Whitsuntide.

Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents,
With cooler oaken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments
To re-adorn the house.
Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold:
New things succeed, as former things grow old.