A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

20. CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE

     Down with the rosemary, and so
     Down with the bays and misletoe;
     Down with the holly, ivy, all
     Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas hall;
     That so the superstitious find
     No one least branch there left behind;
     For look, how many leaves there be
     Neglected there, maids, trust to me,
     So many goblins you shall see.