"Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind" (or "The Holly Carol")

adapted from William Shakespeare, "As You Like It," Act II, Scene VII.

Source: Francis Turner Palgrave, ed., The Golden Treasury. London: Collins, circa 1861, #42.

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,
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remember'd 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.