Thorns and Honey

A rose has thorns as well as honey,

I'll not have her for love or money;

An iris grows so straight and fine,

That she shall be no friend of mine;

Snowdrops like the snow would chill me;

Nightshade would caress and kill me;

Crocus like a spear would fright me;

Dragon's-mouth might bark or bite me;

Convolvulus but blooms to die;

A wind-flower suggests a sigh;

Love-lies-bleeding makes me sad;

And poppy-juice would drive me mad:—

But give me holly, bold and jolly,

Honest, prickly, shining holly;

Pluck me holly leaf and berry

For the day when I make merry.