Volume 93 — THE MARBLE ARCH.
Reading edition
(A Song for the Season.)
"Can nothing be done for the Marble Arch?... London soot-flakes have dealt cruelly with a surface admirably calculated to receive them."—Pall Mall Gazette.
Air—"I Dreamt that I Dwelt in Marble Halls."
I dreamt that I gazed at the Marble Arch, King Fog and King Coal at my side, The soot of November, the dust-storms of March Had made it a sight to deride. I said all the foreigners think, I'll be bound, To our City this thing is a shame; But I guess 'twill be found, when next Season comes round, That its state is much the same. It doeswant a wash, there's no doubt about that, For the marble's a dull, dirty brown; That is, where it isn't as black as your hat— Can'tthey clean it while Swelldom's from Town? Marble? Deft Tadema, I will be bound, Would say 'tis not worthy the name; But I'd wager a pound, when next Season comes round, We shall find it still the same.