Some bank or quick-set finds : to which his haunch opposed, Song XIII. THE THAMES AND LONDON IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. But now this mighty flood,2 upon his voyage pressed,— Then Westminster, the next, great Thames doth entertain, 1 The hart weeps at his dying; and his tears were held to be precious in medicine. 2 The river Thames. 3 Westminster Palace was the principal seat of the English sovereigns from Edward the Confessor to Queen Elizabeth. It was partly destroyed by fire in 1512; and Henry VIII., after Wolsey's disgrace, removed his palace to Whitehall. When Drayton wrote, there were still standing, and in use, the Star Chamber, St. Stephen's Chapel, and other parts of the old palace. The only portions now extant are Westminster Hall and St. Stephen's Crypt; but the name survives in Palace Yard. 4 The Abbey. 5 See note 1, p. 102. 6 The Strand, originally a mere roadway between the two cities of London and Westminster, was first paved in the reign of Henry VIII., and became the favourite quarter of the bishops and nobility. Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Burleigh, the Somersets, and other great families, had their town houses there. With that most costly Bridge1 that doth him most renown, By which he clearly puts all other rivers down. Song XVII. FROM THE SONNETS TO "IDEA." A PARTING. Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part: Be it not seen in either of our brows That we one jot of former love retain. When, his pulse failing, Passion speechless lies, And Innocence is closing up his eyes; Now, if thou wouldst, when all have given him over, THE CRIER. Good folk, for gold or hire, For my poor heart is run astray O yes, O yes, O yes, If there be any man It 1 Old London Bridge spanned the Thames from London to Southwark. succeeded a still older one of wood lower down the river, and was built between the years 1176 and 1209. It was built upon piles; had nineteen arches, the widest 36 feet, a drawbridge for large vessels, a gate-house at each end on which were exhibited the heads of traitors, and a chapel and crypt in the centre. There were two rows of houses upon it, like a street, in one of which it is said the artist Holbein lived. It was the only bridge over the Thames at London until 1738. 2 Own. Yet have we well begun ; By fame been raisèd. "And for myself," quoth he, 66 This my full rest shall be ; England ne'er mourn for me Nor more esteem me : Victor I will remain, Or on this earth lie slain ; "Poitiers and Cressy tell, Than when our Grandsire great,1 By many a warlike feat Lopped the French lilies." The Duke of York, so dread, Excester had the rear, A braver man not there; O Lord, how hot they were They now to fight are gone : Armour on armour shone; Drum now to drum did groan; To hear was wonder; That with the cries they make The very earth did shake; Trumpet to trumpet spake, Thunder to thunder. Well it thine age became, 1 Edward III. When, from a meadow by, Struck the French horses With spanish yew1 so strong, When down their bows they threw, Arms were from shoulders sent, |