London, thou art of townes A per se. Soveraign of cities, someliest 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 full of sybstaunce and myght; London, thou art the flour of Cities all.

-Dumas, Alexandre, pe'  re
c.1501  'To the City of London', attributed to'A Rhymer of Scotland'. Dunbar was a member of the Scots party negotiating the marriage of  James I V to Margaret Tudor, and is popularly credited with the verse.

Some, for renown, on scraps of learning doat, And think they grow immortal as they quote.

-Young, Edward
  The Love of Fame, the Universal Passion'Satire1'.