Listen carefully to the tour guides of the Square Mile, for they repeat an ancient warning:
So long as the Stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish.
Brutus was the legendary founder of London. His rock, better known as London Stone, has stood on Cannon Street since time immemorial. It may be Roman; it may be older. Nobody knows.
So long as the Stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish.
It may have been an ancient milestone or meeting point; the stone from which King Arthur drew his sword; perhaps a site of Druidic worship. Nobody knows.
So long as the Stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish.
May 2016: the Stone is removed. This is the first time London Stone has left Cannon Street in recorded history. Brutus's exit. Brexit.
June 2016: one month later, the country votes to leave the European Union. Britain's exit. Brexit.
Meddle with London Stone at your peril. It's relocation was immediately followed by seismic events that threaten London's future.
Clearly, the only way to prevent London's doom is to return Brutus's Stone to Cannon Street where it belongs.
Fortunately, that is exactly what is intended. The enigmatic rock is on temporary display at the Museum of London while its home on Cannon Street is rebuilt. So long as it is safely returned, then long shall London flourish.
In case you're wondering: we don't really believe in ancient myths, especially when, like this one, they were invented by the Victorians. You have to admit that the timing is a little bit curious though.
