Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/58

 WILLIAM DUNBAR

22 In Honour of the City of London

E)NDON, thou art of townes A per se. Sovcraign of cities, seemliest in sight, Of high renoun, riches and royaltic;

Of lordis, barons, and many a goodly knyght; Of most delectable lusty ladies bright; Of famous prelatis, in habitis clerical! ;

Of merchauntis full of substauncc and of myght: London, thou art the ftour of Cities all.

Gladdith anon, thou lusty Troynovaunt,

Citie that some tyme clcped was New Troy;

In all the erth, imperiall as thou stant,

Pryncessc of townes, of pleasure and of joy, A richer restith under no Christen roy;

For manly power, with craftis naturall,

Fourmcth none fairer sith the flode of Noy:

London, thou art the flour of Cities all.

Gemme of all joy, jasper of jocunditic,

Most myghty carbuncle of vertue and valour;

Strong Troy in vigour and in strcnuytic, Of royall cities rose and geraflour, Empress of townes, exalt in honour,

In beawtie beryng the crone imperiall, Swete paradise prccelling in pleasure,

London, thou art the flour of Cities all.

Trinovantum. sith] since. geraflour]

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