When Shakespeare came to London
He met no shouting throngs;
He carried in his knapsack
A scroll of quiet songs

No proud heraldic trumpet
Acclaimed him on his way;
Their court and camp have perished;
The songs live on for ay

Nobody saw or heard them
But, all around him there
Spirits of light and music
Went treading the April air

He passed like any pedlar
Yet he had wealth untold
The galleons of th' armada
Could not contain his gold

The kings rode on to darkness
In England's conquering hour
Unseen arrived her splendour;
Unknown, her conquering power