Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/150

 EDMUND SPENSER

So ended she; and all the rest around

To her redoubled that her undersong,

Which said their brydale daye should not be long:

And gentle Eccho from the neighbour ground

Their accents did rebound.

So forth those joyous Birdcs did passe along,

Adowne the Lee, that to them murmurdc low,

Ab he would speake, but that he lackt a tong,

Vet did by signes his glad affection show,

Making his strcame run slow.

And all the foule which in his flood did dwell

Gan flock about these twainc, that did excell

The rest, so far as Cynthia doth shcnd

The lesser starres. So they, cnranged well,

Did on those two attend,

And their best service lend

Against their wedding day, which was not long*

Sweete Themmcs' runne softly, till I end my Song.

At length they all to mery London came, To mcry London, my most kyndly Nurse, That to me gave this Lifes first native sourse, Though from another place I take my name, An house of auncicnt fame:

There when they came, whereas those bricky tovvres The which on Themmes brode aged backc doe rydc, Where now the studious Lawyers have their bowers, There whylome wont the Templcr Knights to byde, Till they dccayd through pride. Next whereunto there standes a stately place, Where oft I gayned giftes and goodly grace Of that great Lord, which therein wont to dwell,

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