← All chapters
Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral · Chapter
IX explained
A brief poetic description of London shrouded in misty vapors that obscure the dawn's colors and beauty.
What happens
A brief poetic description of London shrouded in misty vapors that obscure the dawn's colors and beauty.
Characters to notice
- Aurora
The dawn goddess whose colors are clouded by London's mist.
Key passages
“To mark the vale where London lies With misty vapours crown’d, Which cloud Aurora’s thousand dyes, And veil her charms around,”
To indicate the valley where London is located, covered with misty vapors that obscure the many colors of dawn and hide her beauty.
The poet uses classical allusion to Aurora to describe London's foggy atmosphere.