EDMUND SPENSER

At length they all to mery London came,

To mery 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 auncient fame:

There when they came, whereas those bricky towres

The which on Themmes brode aged backe doe ryde r

Where now the studious Lawyers have their bowers,

There whylome wont the Templer Knights to byde,

Till they decayd 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,

Whose want too well now feeles my freendles case;

But ah ! here fits not well

Olde woes, but joyes, to tell

Against the Brydale daye, which is not long :

Sweete Themrnes ! runne softly, till I end my Song.

Yet therein now doth lodge a noble Peer,

Great Englands glory, and the Worlds wide wonder,

Whose dreadfull name late through all Spaine did thunder,.

And Hercules two pillors standing neere

Did make to quake and feare :

Faire branch of Honor, flower of Chevalrie !

That fillest England with thy triumphes fame,

Joy have thou of thy noble victorie,

And endlesse happinesse of thine owne name

That promiseth the same ;

That through thy prowesse, and victorious armes,

Thy country may be freed from forraine harmes;

And great Elisaes glorious name may ring

Through al the world, nTd with thy wide Alarmes y

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