William Dunbar and 'London, thow art of townys a per se': Attribution and Text (Priscilla Bawcutt, 1931–2021, in memoriam)

Abstract:This article argues that the poem 'London, thow art of townys a per se' was a part of Dunbar's canon. It suggests the circumstances in which Dunbar created it and demonstrates how previous objections to its appearance in his canon can be resolved. It presents a critical text of the poem based on all the surviving witnesses, with textual and explanatory notes.