WILLIAM DUNBAR

/p. In Honour of the City of London

T 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 anon, thou lusty Troynovaunt,

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 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 ;

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 ;

gladdith] rejoice. Troynovaunt] Troja nova or Trinovantutn.

fourmeth] appeareth. geraflour] gillyflower.

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