Question

by mary robinson
who has not waked to list the busy sounds
of summer’s morning, in the sultry smoke
of noisy london? on the pavement hot
the sooty chimney - boy, with dingy face
and tattered covering, shrilly bawls his trade,
rousing the sleepy housemaid. at the door
the milk - pail rattles, and the tinkling bell
proclaims the dustman’s office, while the street
is lost in clouds impervious. now begins
the din of hackney - coaches, waggons, carts;
while tinmen’s shops, and noisy trunk - makers,
knife - grinders, coopers, squeaking cork - cutters,
fruit - barrows, and the hunger - giving cries
of vegetable - vendors, fill the air.
now every shop displays its varied trade,
and the fresh - sprinkled pavement cools the feet
of early walkers. at the private door
the ruddy housemaid twirls the busy mop,
annoying the smart ’prentice, or neat girl,
tripping with band - box lightly. now the sun
darts burning splendor on the glittering pane,
save where the canvas awning throws a shade
on the gay merchandise. now, spruce and trim,
in shops (where beauty smiles with industry)
sits the smart damsel; while the passenger
peeps through the window, watching every charm.
now pastry dainties catch the eye minute
of humming insects, while the limy snare
waits to enthrall them. now the lamp - lighter
mounts the tall ladder, nimbly venturous,
to trim the half - filled lamps, while at his feet
the pot - boy yells discordant! all along
the sultry pavement, the old - clothes - man cries
in tone monotonous, while sidelong views
what does the speaker observe in “london’s summer morning”?

a busy morning in
a london market
a peaceful morning
in a park in london
the rising of the
sun over an empty
london
the work of a shop
owner in london

Explanation:

The poem describes various busy activities in London's morning, like chimney - boy bawling, milk - pail rattling, hackney - coaches and various tradespeople at work. The option "a busy morning in a London market" aligns with the busy street and market - like activities (fruit - barrows, vegetable - vendors, shops) described. The other options are incorrect: there's no focus on a park for a peaceful morning, London isn't empty, and it's not just about a shop owner's work but many different activities.

Answer:

a busy morning in a London market