Page:Hesperides Vol 2.djvu/117

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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 kin
To honour Whitsuntide.

Green rushes, then, and sweetest bents[1],
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.

  1. Bents, grasses.


893. THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY.

Kindle the Christmas brand, and then
Till sunset let it burn;
Which quench'd, then lay it up again
Till Christmas next return.
Part must be kept wherewith to teend
The Christmas log next year,
And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend
Can do no mischief there.


894. UPON CANDLEMAS DAY.

End now the white loaf and the pie,
And let all sports with Christmas die.
Teend, kindle.