IN HONOUR OF THE CITY OF LONDON
by: William Dunbar (1465-1520?)
- ONDON, 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;
- Of famous prelatis, in habitis clericall;
- Of merchauntis full of substaunce and of myght:
- London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
-
- Gladdith [1] anon, thou lusty
Troynovaunt [2],
- Citie that some tyme cleped was New Troy;
- 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 [3]
the flode of Noy:
- London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
-
- 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 [4];
- 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.
-
- Above all ryvers thy Ryver hath renowne,
- 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 [5];
- Where many a ship doth rest with top-royall.
- O, towne of townes! patrone and not compare [6],
- London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
-
- Upon thy lusty Brigge of pylers white
- Been merchauntis full royall to behold;
- Upon thy stretis goeth many a semely knyght
- 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.
-
- 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;
- Fair be their wives, right lovesom, white and small [7];
- Clere be thy virgyns, lusty under kellis [8]:
- London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
-
- Thy famous Maire, by pryncely governaunce,
- With sword of Justice thee ruleth prudently.
- No Lord of Parys, Venyce, or Floraunce
- In dignitye or honour goeth to hym nigh.
- He is exampler, loode-ster, and guye [9];
- Principall patrone and rose orygynalle,
- Above all Maires as maister most worthy:
- London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
MORE
POEMS BY WILLIAM DUNBAR
1
rejoice
2 Troja
nova or Trinovantum
3 since
4 gillyflower
5 oar
6 compeer
7 slender
8 hoods,
head-dresses
9 guide |