By thee transported, I securely stray
Where winding Alleys lead the doubtful Way,
The silent Court, and op’ning Square explore,
And long perplexing Lanes untrod before.
To pave thy Realm, and smooth the broken Ways,
Earth from her Womb a flintyflinty: stony. tribute pays:
For thee, the sturdy PaviorPavior: one who lays paving. thumps the
Ground,
Whilst ev’ry Stroke his lab’ring Lungs resound;
For thee, the ScavingerScavinger: one who cleans the streets by scraping or sweeping and removing the refuse.
bids KennelsKennels: gutters. glide
Within their Bounds, and Heaps of Dirt subside.
My youthful Bosom burns with Thirst of Fame,
From the great Theme to build a glorious Name,
To tread in Paths to ancient Bards unknown,
And bind my Temples with a Civic crown;Civic Crown: Williams notes that the corona civica, a crown of oak leaves, was given by the Romans for saving a citizen's life in battle and that Gay implies in jest he himself should be crowned for saving London's citizens from its dangerous streets.
But more, my country’s Love demands the Lays,
My Country’s be the Profit, mine the Praise.
When
When the Black YouthBlack Youth: covered in shoe black. at chosen Stands rejoice,
And clean your Shoes resounds from ev’ry Voice;
When late their mirymiry: muddy. sides Stage-Coaches show,
And their stiff Horses thro’ the Town move slow;
When all
the Mall
in leafy Ruin lies,
And Damsels first renew their Oyster Cries:Oyster Cries: the cries of street vendors selling oysters.
Of Shoes.
Then let the prudent Walker Shoes provide,
Not of the Spanish or
Morocco
Hide;
The wooden Heel may raise the Dancer’s Bound,
And with the ’scallop’d Top’scallop’d Top: a scalloped border on the top of the shoe. his Step be crown’d;
Let firm well-hammer’d Soles protect thy Feet
Thro’ freezing Snows, and Rains, and soaking Sleet.
Should the big LasteLaste: a mould of the foot used to shape boots or shoes.
extend the Shoe too wide,
Each Stone will wrench th’ unwary Step aside:
The sudden Turn may stretch the swelling Vein,
Thy cracking Joint unhinge, or ancle sprain;
B 2
And