Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A DESCRIPTION OF LONDON, by JOHN BANCKS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A DESCRIPTION OF LONDON, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Houses, churches, mixed together, / streets unpleasant in all weather
Last Line: This is london! How d'ye like it?
Subject(s): London; Thames (river); Travel; Journeys; Trips


HOUSES, churches, mixed together,
Streets unpleasant in all weather;
Prisons, palaces contiguous,
Gates, a bridge, the Thames irriguous.

Gaudy things enough to tempt ye,
Showy outsides, insides empty;
Bubbles, trades, mechanic arts,
Coaches, wheelbarrows and carts.

Warrants, bailiffs, bills unpaid,
Lords of laundresses afraid;
Rogues that nightly rob and shoot men,
Hangmen, aldermen and footmen.

Lawyers, poets, priests, physicians,
Noble, simple, all conditions:
Worth beneath a threadbare cover,
Villainy bedaubed all over.

Women black, red, fair and grey,
Prudes and such as never pray,
Handsome, ugly, noisy, still,
Some that will not, some that will.

Many a beau without a shilling,
Many a widow not unwilling;
Many a bargain, if you strike it:
This is London! How d'ye like it?





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