Sonnet 32. Our floods’ Queen, Thames, for ships and swans is crowned

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1594 (No. 24), and in all later editions.]

To the River Ankor

OUR floods’ Queen, Thames, for ships and swans is crowned;

And stately Severn, for her shore is praised.

The crystal Trent, for fords and fish renowned;

And Avon’s fame, to Albion’s cliffs is raised,

Carlegion Chester vaunts her holy Dee.

York, many wonders, of her Ouse can tell.

The Peak, her Dove, whose banks so fertile be:

And Kent will say, her Medway doth excel.

Cotswold commends her Isis to the Tame.

Our northern borders boast of Tweed’s fair flood.

Our western parts extol their Wilis’ fame;

And the old Lea brags of the Danish blood.

Arden’s sweet Ankor, let thy glory be,

That fair IDEA only lives by thee!