Henry VIII. [Green groweth the holly].

King Henry VIII

FROM Additional Ms. 31922

[Green groweth the holly]

Green groweth the holly, so doth the ivy.
Though winter blasts blow never so high,
Green groweth the holly.

As the holly groweth green
    And never changeth hue,
So I am, and ever hath been,
    Unto my lady true.
            Green groweth  .  .  .  etc.

As the holly groweth green,
    With ivy all alone,
When flowerys cannot be seen
    And green-wood leaves be gone,
              ut supra

Now unto my lady
    Promise to her I make:
From all other only
    To her I me betake.
              ut supra

Adieu, mine own lady,
    Adieu, my specïal,
Who hath my heart truly,
    Be sure, and ever shall.

Green groweth the holly, so doth the ivy.
Though winter blasts blow never so high,
Green groweth the holly.

Audio Excerpt from the CD
All Goodly Sports: Music of Henry VIII

Source:
Poetry of the English Renaissance 1509-1660.
J. William Hebel and Hoyt H. Hudson, Eds.
New York: F. S. Crofts & Co., 1941. 9.

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