One of the earliest Christmas carols, dating from the Fifteenth Century, describes a contest of Holly and Ivy for the chief place in the hall. Holly is the man and Ivy the woman. They have an argument (which is a kind of duet), each setting forth his or her claim to superiority. Finally, it is decided that Holly, with his beautiful red berries, shall reign in the hall instead of Ivy, whose berries are black. Moreover, many sweet birds are attracted to Holly; but only the owl loves Ivy. Holly is, of course, the subject of many carols. A typical one of the Fifteenth Century is as follows: Here comes Holly, that is so gent, Alleluia! To please all men is his intent, Alleluia! But lord and lady of the hall, Alleluia! Whosoever against Holly call, Alleluia! Whosoever against Holly do cry, Alleluia! In a lepe shall he hang full high. Alleluia! Whosoever against Holly do sing, Alleluia! He may weep and his handys wring, Alleluia! From the above it will be seen that it was a crime to say a derogatory word about holly. Holly was not only loved for its beauty but it was a holy plant. Witches detested it and it was a charm against their evil machinations. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon _holegn_. The Norse word is _hulf_, or _hulver_; and as Chaucer calls it "Hulfeere" we may conclude that holly was familiar to the people of Chaucer's time under that name. It is somewhat singular that Shakespeare has written a song of wintry wind and holly berries to be sung in the Forest of Arden. It affords, however, a delightful contrast to the sun-lit summer woodland. [Illustration: TUDOR MANOR HOUSE WITH MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF GARDENS] While in it holly is not actually described, _Amiens's_ song will always remain the song of songs to holly: Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Thou art not so unkind As man's ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Heigh ho! sing heigh ho! unto the green holly: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. Then heigh ho the holly! This life is most jolly. Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, Thou dost not bite so nigh As benefits forgot; Though thou the waters warp Thy sting is not so sharp As friend remembered not. Heigh ho! sing, heigh ho! unto the green holly: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. Then, heigh ho! the holly! This life is most jolly. IVY (_Hedera Helix_). Shakespeare mentions ivy twice: in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" where _Titania_, bidding _Bottom_ sleep, says: