A Description of the Morning
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"A Description of the Morning" is a poem by Anglo-Irish poet Jonathan Swift, written in 1709.[1] The poem discusses then-contemporary topics, including the social state of London at the time of the writing, as well as the developing of commerce and business in the area, and the effect the latter had on the common people and common lifestyle in England. Others have also referred to the text as an early example of the oxymoronic "town eclogue," or "urban georgic".[2] It was first published in October 1710,[3] in the British magazine the Tatler,[1] which was first printed in the same year of the poem's creation.
Following the poem's publication in the Tatler, Swift became an occasional contributor to the content of the magazine, often submitting portions of his work. This collaboration has resulted in Swift's labeling as one of the magazine's more prominent contributors.[4] The subsequent poem by Swift published in the magazine, which was related to "A Description of the Morning" and was entitled "A Description of a City Shower", covers similar topic matter, discussing the artificiality of life in the city and that existence. It has been described by critics, readers, and even Swift himself as the best poem that he ever wrote: "They think 'tis the best thing I ever writ, and I think so too".[1][2]
The poem reads as follows:
Now hardly here and there a Hackney-Coach
Appearing, show'd the Ruddy Morns Approach.
Now Betty from her Masters Bed had flown,
And softly stole to discompose her own.
The Slipshod Prentice from his Masters Door,
Had par'd the Dirt, and Sprinkled round the Floor.
Now Moll had whirl'd her Mop with dext'rous Airs,
Prepar'd to Scrub the Entry and the Stairs.
The Youth with Broomy Stumps began to trace
The Kennel-Edge, where Wheels had worn the Place.
The Smallcoal-Man was heard with Cadence deep,
'Till drown'd in Shriller Notes of Chimney-Sweep
Duns at his Lordships Gate began to meet,
And Brickdust Moll had Scream'd through half a Street.
The Turnkey now his Flock returning sees,
Duly let out a Nights to Steal for Fees.
The watchful bailiffs take their silent Stands,
And School-Boys lag with Satchels in their Hands.[5]
"A Description of the Morning" is often cited as inspiration for other works, including English artist William Hogarth's series of four paintings, Four Times of the Day, among other works and texts, such as John Gay's "Trivia", as well as Swift's own "A Description of a City Shower".[2]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Swift, Jonathan (1834). The Poetical Works of Jonathan Swift. W. Pickering, 92.
- ^ a b c Fairer, David; Gerrard, Christine (2004). Eighteenth-Century Poetry: An Annotated Anthology. Blackwell Publishing, 74. ISBN 1405113189.
- ^ Brown, Laura (2001). Fables of Modernity: Literature and Culture in the English Eighteenth Century. Cornell University Press, 19. ISBN 0801488443.
- ^ Williams, Kathleen (1995). Jonathan Swift: The Critical Heritage. Routledge, 260. ISBN 0415139082.
- ^ The Tatler - text at The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
[edit] References
- Fairer, David; Gerrard, Christine - Eighteenth-Century Poetry: An Annotated Anthology. Blackwell Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1405113189
- Swift, Jonathan (1834), The Poetical Works of Jonathan Swift, W. Pickering, <http://books.google.com/books?id=ZcgkAAAAMAAJ&printsec=toc>
- Fairer, David (2004), Eighteenth-Century Poetry: An Annotated Anthology, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 1405113189
- Williams, Kathleen (1995), Jonathan Swift: The Critical Heritage, Routledge, ISBN 0415139082
- Brown, Laura (2001), Fables of Modernity: Literature and Culture in the English Eighteenth Century, Cornell University Press, ISBN 0801488443
- Paulson, Ronald (1992), Hogarth: High Art and Low, 1732-50, vol. 2, Lutterworth Press, ISBN 0718828550
- Downie, James Alan (1984), Jonathan Swift, Political Writer, Routledge, ISBN 0710096453
