London in the olden time; or, Sketches of the great metropolis ... to the end of the xvith century

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Page 91 - The city now doth like a garment wear The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie Open unto the fields and to the sky; All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Page 133 - London for me, which he also did as he shewed me, and willed me to write an epistle to my lord, and to go to him myself, which I also did, and delivered my epistle to a servant of his own, one William Hebilthwayte, a man of mine old acquaintance. But God (which knoweth what is within hypocrites) saw that I was beguiled, and that that counsel was not the next way unto my purpose.
Page 174 - My masters, and ye ministers of London, the council's pleasure is, that strictly ye keep the unity of apparel, like this man who stands here canonically habited with a square cap, a scholar's gown priest-like, a tippet; and in the church a linen surplice. Ye that will subscribe, write Volo ; those that will not subscribe, write Nolo : be brief, make no words.
Page 56 - I think that there is no city iu which more approved customs are observed — in attending churches, honouring God's ordinances, keeping festivals, giving alms, receiving strangers, confirming espousals, contracting marriages, celebrating weddings, preparing entertainments, welcoming guests, and also in the arrangement of the funeral ceremonies and the burial of the dead. The only inconveniences of London are, the immoderate drinking of foolish persons, and the frequent fires.
Page 183 - ... from whence came our English proverb of " Tuntony pig," or t'Antony, an abridgement of the Anthony pig. " I remember," says Stow, " that the officers charged with the oversight of the markets in this city did divers times take from the market people, pigs starved, or otherwise unwholesome for man's sustenance ; these they did slit in the ear. One of the proctors for St.
Page 40 - They besought the king to have this land, with the liberty of a guild for ever. The king granted to their request, with conditions following : that is, that each of them should victoriously accomplish three combats, one above the ground, one under ground, and the third in the water ; and after this, at a certain day in East Smithfield, they should run with spears against all...
Page 45 - William the King friendly salutes William the Bishop and Godfrey the portreve, and all the burgesses within London, both French and English. And I declare that I grant you to be all law-worthy as you were in the days of King Edward ; and I grant that every child shall be his father's heir, after his father's days ; and I will not suffer any person to do you wrong. God keep you.
Page 111 - London, six oxen were daily eaten at a breakfast ; and every tavern was full of his meat; and who had any acquaintance in his family, should have as much boiled and roast as he could carry on a long dagger.
Page 143 - Well, my lord, quoth I, here I stand before God and you, and all this honourable audience, and take him to witness, that I never wittingly or willingly taught any false doctrine; and therefore have I a good conscience before God and all good men. I am sure that you and I shall come before a Judge that is righteous, before whom I shall be as good a man as you; and I nothing doubt but that I shall be found there a true member of the true catholic church of Christ, and everlastingly saved. And as for...
Page 136 - The rich man, perceiving that, caught him by the hand, and asked him, saying, ' Neighbour, what is come into your heart, to take such displeasure with me? what have I done against you ? tell me, and I will be ready at all times to make you amends.

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