Versos English William H. Elson William Shakespeare

English poem

William Shakespeare

by (1856–1935)

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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, Thou dost not bite so nigh As benefits forgot; Though thou the waters warp, Thy sting is not so sharp As friend remembered 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.