Christmastide: Its History, Festivities, and Carols

IV.

NAY iuy, nay, hyt shall not be I wys,

Let holy hafe Þ^e maystry as Þ^e maner ys.

Holy stond in Þ^e hall fayre to behold,

Iuy stond w^t out Þ^e dore, she ys ful sore a cold.

Nay iuy, &c.

Holy and hys mery men Þey dawnsyn & Þey syng,

Iuy and her maydenys Þey wepyn & Þey wryng.

Nay, &c.

Iuy hath a lyve she laghtyt w^t Þe colde,

So mot Þey all ha fae Þ^t w^t jvy hold.

Nay iuy, nay, hyt, &c.

Holy hat berys as rede as any rose,

The foster Þe hunters kepe hem fro Þe dos.

Nay iuy, nay, hyt, &c.

Iuy hath berys as blake as any slo,

Ther com Þe oule & ete hym as she goo.

Nay iuy, nay, hyt, &c.

Holy hath byrdys a ful fayre flok,

The nyghtyngale Þe perpyinguy, Þe gayntyl lauyrok.

Nay, &c.

Gode iuy what byrdys ast Þu?

Non but Þe howlat Þ^t kreye how how.

Nay iuy, nay, hyt shal not, &c.

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