It was no small honor for a single plant to have furnished the wreath of Bacchus, the wood of his cup, emblematic of the human body containing his life-blood, and the material for the chest of the great mysteries--meaning also the body and the world. I think, however, that its philological root may also be possibly found in the Greek noun _kissa_, and the verb _kissao_, implying strange and excessive passionate longing. Such yearning would well become the Bacchantae, the wild children of desire and of Nature. It is longing or _desire_ which leads to renewing life, which constitutes love, which flashes like fire and light through the beautiful, and pours forth the wine, and breaks the bread, and causes the rose-blush to bloom, and the nymphs to cry amid the mountains, _Evoe Bacche!_ Coming down from the pagan mysteries into lower and more literal forms, the Ivy preserved two meanings. It was already the vine of life, and the early Christians laid it in the coffins of their departed, as the emblem of a new life in Christ.[4] It had hung upon the limbs of naked nymphs, convulsed in passionate orgies, as a type of vitality renewed by pleasure--it was now wreathed at Christmas-tide over quaint columns and tracery-laden Gothic windows and arches, as a sign--they knew not exactly of what--but guessed, naturally enough, and rightly, that it typified as an undying winter-plant the resurrection. And they sang its praises in many a brave carol: IVY, chief of trees it is, _Veni coronaberis_. The most worthy she is in town,-- He who says other says amiss; Worthy is she to bear the crown; _Veni coronaberis_. IVY is soft and meek of speech, Against all woe she bringeth bliss; Happy is he that may her reach: _Veni coronaberis_. IVY is green, of color bright, Of all trees the chief she is; And that I prove will now be right: _Veni coronaberis_. IVY, she beareth berries black; God grant to all of us his bliss, For then we shall nothing lack: _Veni coronaberis_. Very quaint is the following fragment: 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 bent him down on his knee, 'I pray thee, gentle Ivy, Essay me no villany In lands where we go.' _Old Christmas Carol._