The bay tree was believed to have the property of protection against fire or lightning. The ivy was considered to prevent intoxication, and for this reason Bacchus is represented as being crowned with ivy leaves. The holly was originally the Holy Tree, and tradition says that, unknown before, it sprang up in perfection and beauty beneath the footsteps of Christ when he first trod the earth, and that, though man has forgotten its attributes, the beasts all reverence it, and are never known to injure it. The four following carols are all of the fifteenth century: HOLLY AND IVY Holly and Ivy made a great party, Who should have the mastery In lands where they go. Then spake Holly, "I am fierce and jolly, I will have the mastery In lands where we go." Then spake Ivy, "I am loud and proud, And I will have the mastery In lands where we go." Then spake Holly, and set him down on his knee, "I pray thee, gentle Ivy, say[41] me no villany In lands where we go." [Footnote 41: Do.] HERE COMES HOLLY Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, now sing we. Here comes Holly, that is so gent,[42] To please all men is his intent, Alleluia. But Lord and Lady of this Hall, Whosoever against Holly call. Alleluia. Whosoever against Holly do cry, In a lepe[43] he shall hang full high. Alleluia. Whosoever against Holly doth sing, He may weep and hands wring. Alleluia. [Footnote 42: Pretty.] [Footnote 43: A large basket.] IVY, CHIEF OF TREES The most worthy she is in town, He that saith other, doth amiss; And worthy to bear the crown; _Veni coronaberis._ Ivy is soft and meek of speech, Against all bale she is bliss; Well is he that may her reach, _Veni coronaberis._ Ivy is green with colour bright, Of all trees best she is; And that I prove well now be right, _Veni coronaberis._ Ivy beareth berries black. God grant us all His bliss; For there shall we nothing lack, _Veni coronaberis._ THE CONTEST OF THE IVY AND THE HOLLY _Nay, Ivy, nay, it shall not be, I wis, Let Holly have the mastery as the manner is._ Holly standeth in the hall, fair to behold, Ivy stands without the door; she is full sore a cold. _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc. Holly and his merry men, they dancen and they sing; Ivy and her maidens, they weepen and they wring. _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc. Ivy hath a lybe, she caught it with the cold, So may they all have, that with Ivy hold. _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc. Holly hath berries, as red as any rose, The foresters, the hunters, keep them from the does. _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc. Ivy hath berries, as black as any sloe, There comes the owl and eats them as she go. _Nay, Ivy, nay_, etc.