James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
February 2Candlemas
By Robert Herrick (15911674)
D
Down with the mistleto,
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box, for show.
Let box now domineere,
Until the dancing Easter-day,
Or Easter’s eve appeare.
Your houses to renew,
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew.
And many flowers beside,
Both of a fresh and fragrant kinne
To honor Whitsontide.
With color oken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments,
To re-adorn the house.
Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold;
New things succeed as former things grow old.