The Home Circle.

Southern Cross, Volume 11, Issue 16, 18 July 1903, Page 3

The Home Circle.

LONDON TOWN

Oh, London Town’s a fine town, and London eights are rare, And London ale is right ale, and brisk’s the London air, And busily goes the world there; but crafty grows the mind, And London Town of all towns I’m glad to leave behind. The a hey for croft and hopyard and rick and field and pond, And Brodon Hill before me, wthMalvern Hill beyond : The hawthorn white i’ the hedgerow, and all the spring’s attire In the comely land of Teme and Lugg and Clent and Glee and Wyre. Oh, London girls are fine girls, in silk and cloth o’ gold. And London shops are brave shops, where gallant things are sold, And bonnily clinks the gold there, but drowsily blinks the eye, And London town of all towns I’m glad to hasten by. Then hey for covert and woodland, and ash and elm and oak, Tewkesbury inns and Malvern roofs and Worcester chimney smoke, The red-felled Hereford cattle a-lowing from field and byre, And Bradlow Hill and Kdlbury Hill and Ledbury Church’s spire. Oh, London times are new tunes, and London books are wise, And London plays are rare plays and fine to country eyes ; But merrily thrives the knave there, and craftily thrives the Jew, And London Town of all towns I’m glad to hurry throngh. Then hey for the road, the west road, by bridge and forge and fold, Scent o’ the fern and song o’ the lark, r by woods and hills and wold; To the homely folk at the hearthstone, and the ale beside the fire, In the western land, the goodly land, the land o’ Heart’s Desire. John Masefield in ‘ Pall Mall Magazine.’