Nor do I rove in
Belgia’sBelgia: the Netherlands. frozen Clime,
And teach the clumsy Boor to skate in Rhyme;
Where, if the warmer Clouds in Rain descend,
No miry Ways industrious Steps offend,
The rushing Flood from sloping Pavements pours,
And blackens the Canals with dirty Show’rs.
Let others
Naples smoother Streets rehearse,
And with proud Roman Structures grace their Verse,
Where frequent Murders wake the Night with Groans,
And blood in purple Torrents dies the Stones;
Nor shall the Muse through narrow
Venice
stray,
Where Gondola’s their painted Oars display.
O happy Streets to rumbling Wheels unknown,
No Carts, no Coaches, shake the floating Town!
Thus was of old,
Britannia’s cityBritannia’s city: Britannia is the Roman goddess who represents Britain or England; her city is London. bless’d,
E’er Pride and Luxury her Sons possess’d:
Coaches and Chariots yet unfashion’d lay,
Nor late invented Chairs perplex’d the Way:
B 4
Then
Then the proud Lady trip’d along
the Town,
And tuck’d up Petticoats secur’d her Gown,
Her rosie Cheek with distant Visits glow’d,
And Exercise unartful Charms bestow’d;
But since in braided Gold her Foot is bound,
And a long trailing ManteauManteau: a loose gown or cloak worn by women. sweeps the Ground,
Her Shoe disdains the Street; the lazy Fair,
With narrow Step affects a limping Air.
Now gaudy Pride corrupts the lavish Age,
And the Streets flame with glaring Equipage;
The tricking GamesterGamester: Johnson has “One who is vitiously addicted to play” (gambling).
insolently rides,
With Loves and Graces on his Chariots sides;
In sawcy state the griping Brokergriping Broker: grasping jobber, one who trades stocks on the market for a commission; another risky form of gambling. sits,
And laughs at Honesty, and trudging Wits.
For you, O honest Men these useful Lays
The Muse prepares; I seek no other Praise.
When