all plants which fade not a good while after they are
gathered, and used (as I conceive) to intimate unto us
that the remembrance of the present solemnity might
not die presently (at once), but be kept in mind for
many years."

The yew has from time immemorial been planted in churchyards besides
being used at funerals. Paris, in "Romeo and Juliet", (Act v. sc. 3),
says:--

"Under yon yew trees lay thee all along,
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground;
So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread,
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves,
But thou shall hear it."

Shakespeare also refers to the custom of sticking yew in the shroud in
the following song in "Twelfth Night" (Act ii. sc. 4):--

"My shroud of white, stuck all with yew,
Oh, prepare it;
My part of death, no one so true
Did share it."

Unhappy lovers had garlands of willow, yew, and rosemary laid on their
biers, an allusion to which occurs in the "Maid's Tragedy":--

"Lay a garland on my hearse
Of the dismal yew;
Maidens, willow branches bear--