LONDONS PRAISE,
OR, The Glory of the CITY.
Shewing the great Glory of the most Famous City in the whole World, called London: with a Descri-
ption of my Lord Mayors shew in what manner; and how he is accompanyed by the noble Court
of Aldermen, and the City Companies, and in what pomp and state they are attended, first by wa-
ter to Westminster, and as they return back by land through Cheap-side to Guild-Hall, the like not to
be seen in any City in the whole world. Tune of, London is a brave Town, etc.
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OF all the Songs that e're was pen'd,
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there's none I ever saw,
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Old Englands Glory did commend,
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which keeps the world in awe:
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'Tis London that renowned place,
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of which I now shall sing;
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All must submit to Sword and Mace,
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such terror they do bring:
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Then London is a brave Town,
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and a find City;
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'Tis govern'd by a Scarlet-Gown,
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then mark you well my ditty.
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Guild-hall a stately structure is,
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like to a Palace brave,
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Those that offend and do amiss,
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their Sentence there must have.
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Justice with Sword and Ballance stands,
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to weigh aright each case,
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The Rich with bribes cannot command,
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'tis equity takes place;
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O London is a brave, etc.
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Under our Gracious Lord the King,
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such Magistrates abound,
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That peace and comfort they do bring,
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to those in sorrows drown'd:
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They punish Malefactors,
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and do the poor defend,
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But those that are ill actors,
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they unto Prison send.
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Sing London is a brave, etc.
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My Lord Mayor in most noble state,
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does govern all the rest,
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The Aldermen associate,
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with splender not exprest.
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They govern well this City great,
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of wealth they know no end;
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But dayly sit in Justice seat,
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their Neighbours to defend:
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Sing London is a brave town,
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and a fine City,
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'Tis govern'd by Scarlet-gown,
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then mark you well my Ditty.
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THe Officers sit under them,
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this City for to view,
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Such as are good substantial Men,
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to see if weights are true:
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To try if measures be'nt too small,
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it is their dayly care;
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The poor may have no wrong at all,
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nor that they couzened are:
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Sing London is a brave Town,
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and a fine City, etc.
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If Bakers bread do prove too light,
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believe me what I say,
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My Lord Mayor puts them in a fright,
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and takes their bread away,
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And gives it to the London poor,
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that in the City dwell,
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Which makes the Baker vex full sore,
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when he wants bread to sell.
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sing London is a brave, etc.
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The Ale-wives though they nick & froth,
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their Pots must hold a quart,
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The Swearers if they swear an Oath,
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their Purses must pay for't:
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All this to regulate mens ways,
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his Lordship doth take care,
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The worl'd so wicked now adays,
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their studies to insnare.
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but London is a brave, etc.
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It is not many Years ago,
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as History makes known,
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Since to the Crown a publique foe,
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by a Lord Mayor was o'rethrown,
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Who singly fought with him in field,
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and bravely play'd his part,
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He quickly made his foe to yield,
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for he stuck him to the heart.
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Sing London is a brave, etc.
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The rest for fear did quickly flye,
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their Captain being dead,
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For had they staid they all should dye
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like him that was their head.
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The bloody Dagger since that day,
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i'th City Arms stands fair,
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That all that see't remember may,
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'twas won by a Lord Mayor.
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Sing London is a brave, etc.
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Unto themselves a Charter free,
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this wealthy City holds.
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All that have freedom there to be,
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the Chamberlain enrolls.
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No Forraigner can set up there,
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their orders are so strong,
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In Shop they must not sell no ware,
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least they the Free-men wrong.
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Sing London is a brave, etc.
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A countrey Boy comes up to town,
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perhaps no cloaths to his back:
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Nor to one creature there is known.
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yet he need never lack:
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If that he be but just and true,
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and have an honest face,
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And willing any work to do,
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he need not want a place.
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Sing London is a brave, etc.
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The glory of this City fair,
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you yearly may behold,
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For once a year they chuse Lord Mayor,
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whose train doth shine with gold.
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I'th morning as they go to Court,
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the Thames with wood is cover'd,
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Loud Musick plays, Guns give report,
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the Sun with smoak is smother'd.
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Sing London is a brave, etc.
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Then as he back returns by Land,
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to shew brave Londons art,
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Pageants are fram'd by a curious hand,
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which joys the peoples heart.
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Accompanied unto Guild-hall,
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with stately Gallantry,
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He nobly entertains them all,
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with great Variety.
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sing London is a brave, etc.
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So every year they change Lord Mayor,
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to shew their mutual Love,
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And that in power they equal are,
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and none the other above:
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Now God preserve our Royal King,
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and send the City plenty,
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This is the Poets offering,
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who hopes it will content ye.
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Sing London is a brave town,
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and a fine City:
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'Tis governed by a Scarlet Gown,
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thus I conclude my ditty.
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Finis.
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