8

At length they all to merry London came,

To mery London, my most kindly Nurse,

That to me gave this Lifes first native source,

Though from another place I take my name,

An house of ancient fame1.

There when they came, whereas those bricky towres2

The which on Thammes broad aged backe do ryde,

Where now the studious lawyers have their bowers,

There whilome3 wont the Templer Knights to byde,

Till they decayd4 through pride:

Next whereunto there standes a stately place5,

Where oft I gainéd giftes and goodly grace

Of that great lord, which therein wont to dwell,

Whose want too well now feeles my friendles case:

But Ah here fits not well

Olde woes, but joyes, to tell

Against the Brydale day, which is not long:

Sweete Themmes runne softly, till I end my song.

注释：1.house of ancient fame：生在伦敦，长在伦敦。

2.bricky towres：这里是指位于舰队街和泰晤士河南岸之间的圣堂。

3.whilome：以前的，从前的。

4.decayd：直至没落。

5.a stately place：指莱斯特伯爵的伦敦寓所莱斯特宫。1579-1580年间，斯宾塞一直受到莱斯特伯爵的保护。1588年，莱斯特伯爵去世后，这座宅院转到埃塞克斯第二任伯爵罗伯特·德弗罗名下。