Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
LONDON, thou art of townes A per se. | |
Soveraign of cities, seemliest in sight, | |
Of high renoun, riches and royaltie; | |
Of lordis, barons, and many a goodly knyght; | |
Of most delectable lusty ladies bright; | 5 |
Of famous prelatis, in habitis clericall; | |
Of merchauntis full of substaunce and of myght: | |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | |
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Gladdith anon, thou lusty Troynovaunt, | |
Citie that some tyme cleped was New Troy; | 10 |
In all the erth, imperiall as thou stant, | |
Pryncesse of townes, of pleasure and of joy, | |
A richer restith under no Christen roy; | |
For manly power, with craftis naturall, | |
Fourmeth none fairer sith the flode of Noy: | 15 |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | |
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Gemme of all joy, jasper of jocunditie, | |
Most myghty carbuncle of vertue and valour; | |
Strong Troy in vigour and in strenuytie; | |
Of royall cities rose and geraflour; | 20 |
Empress of townes, exalt in honour; | |
In beawtie beryng the crone imperiall; | |
Swete paradise precelling in pleasure; | |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | |
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Above all ryvers thy Ryver hath renowne, | 25 |
Whose beryall stremys, pleasaunt and preclare, | |
Under thy lusty wallys renneth down, | |
Where many a swan doth swymme with wyngis fair; | |
Where many a barge doth saile and row with are; | |
Where many a ship doth rest with top-royall. | 30 |
O, towne of townes! patrone and not compare, | |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | |
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Upon thy lusty Brigge of pylers white | |
Been merchauntis full royall to behold; | |
Upon thy stretis goeth many a semely knyght | 35 |
In velvet gownes and in cheynes of gold. | |
By Julyus Cesar thy Tour founded of old | |
May be the hous of Mars victoryall, | |
Whose artillary with tonge may not be told: | |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | 40 |
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Strong be thy wallis that about thee standis; | |
Wise be the people that within thee dwellis; | |
Fresh is thy ryver with his lusty strandis; | |
Blith be thy chirches, wele sownyng be thy bellis; | |
Rich be thy merchauntis in substaunce that excellis; | 45 |
Fair be their wives, right lovesom, white and small; | |
Clere be thy virgyns, lusty under kellis: | |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | |
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Thy famous Maire, by pryncely governaunce, | |
With sword of justice thee ruleth prudently. | 50 |
No Lord of Parys, Venyce, or Floraunce | |
In dignitye or honour goeth to hym nigh. | |
He is exampler, loode-ster, and guye; | |
Principall patrone and rose orygynalle, | |
Above all Maires as maister most worthy: | 55 |
London, thou art the flour of Cities all. | |