CAROL IN PRAISE OF THE HOLLY AND IVY (Holly and Ivy Made a Great Party)
Reading edition
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 the lands where we go.”
Fifteenth Century Carol