Swift's Structures: "A Description of the Morning" and Some Others

Abstract

Now hardly here and there an 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 dex'trous 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 the Street. The Turnkey now his Flock returning sees, Duly let out Nights to steal for Fees. The watchful Bailiffs take their silent Stands, And School-Boys lag with Satchels in their Hands.' Recent critical accounts of Swift's A Description of the Morning have been largely preoccupied with its meaning. F.W. Bateson sees it as an indictment of the social ills of city life, sort of Augustan anticipation of Blake's London;2 Roger Savage considers it as parody of flatulent neoclassic aubade, and at the same time as picture of how far modernity falls short of the classical standards invoked;3 David Vieth argues that the poem is a parody of the divine fiat of Creation, 'Let there be light,' by

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