Basking in Olympic glory - in praise of London
The lead up to the 2012 Olympics was full of media pundits prophesying doom. What they didn't take into account was the determination of the British in the face of a challenge. The result was an scintillating celebration of the eccentricity of the British Character. Led by the unlikely fusion of a fearsome brain and a frightening haircut which is Mayor Boris Johnson, the Games were a triumph of perseverance with the focus of the spotlight being returned to it's rightful place: the athletes.
Pageantry and ceremony are inextricably linked with England and this vibrant extravaganza could not have taken place anywhere other than London. London has inspired poetry for centuries and, around 1501, William Dunbar delivered the following:
An extract from To the City of London by William Dunbar
London, thou art of townes A per se.
Sovraign of cities, semeliest in sight,
Of high renoun, riches, and royaltie:
Of lordis, barons, and many goodly knyght;
Of most delectable lusty ladies bright;
Of famous prelatis in habitis clericall;
Of merchauntis fill of substaunce and myght:
London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
Read whilst listening to section IV, La Rejouissance, of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks and revel in the evocation of this dynamic, exhilarating and glorious city.
Pageantry and ceremony are inextricably linked with England and this vibrant extravaganza could not have taken place anywhere other than London. London has inspired poetry for centuries and, around 1501, William Dunbar delivered the following:
An extract from To the City of London by William Dunbar
London, thou art of townes A per se.
Sovraign of cities, semeliest in sight,
Of high renoun, riches, and royaltie:
Of lordis, barons, and many goodly knyght;
Of most delectable lusty ladies bright;
Of famous prelatis in habitis clericall;
Of merchauntis fill of substaunce and myght:
London, thou art the flour of Cities all.
Read whilst listening to section IV, La Rejouissance, of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks and revel in the evocation of this dynamic, exhilarating and glorious city.
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