1. I visited London, mistress of cities and suns
Her lights shone in the meadows

2. Yes, that blessing I do not deny as
The horizon of London is ever contracting

3. If her sun has hidden itself, still
The light in it is like lightning in the clouds' darkness

4. Except I found it next to Paris
Like the lanky girl undergoing labor

5. Aged, whether she covers up or strips naked
Beauty in her contracts with graying

6. Were beauty in amplitude of body
She would have it without objection

7. For every street of hers is a night
Of severe winter, long and bare

8. And of her palaces each palace
Leaves the eyes downcast in humility

9. And each museum of hers has contained
What is precious of essence and attributes

10. And of her gardens each meadow
Singular in greenery amongst the meadows

11. Then in it subtlety flows like a rivulet
And much of the broad smiles

12. And beneath its ground wheels rolled
Their perfect construction behind inquiries

13. Moving it, hands of electricity
The present order manifest in past deeds

14. And entertainments and pleasures in it
That souls desire of purposes

15. And women display in the market of corruption
And sell honor with honor

16. Then in it, of beauties and gentilities
What is in Paris, she of open arms

17. Except that beauty pleases the eye
Only in proportion of limbs

18. Everything in Paris appears in most
Refined styles of overflowing beauty

19. Its inhabitants attained thereby a name
And received inspiration's mere outpouring