To point each devious path shall be my pride,
Well pleas'd (if they'll accept) I'll be their Guide.
Or, if th' adjacent spots, that greet the eye,
Which, from St. Philip 's Dome, with ease we 'spy,
Will gratify their taste, I'll climb that height,
And, from the Cupola, indulge their sight.
For strangers, freely, ſhall command my pow'r,
To guide their footsteps, at a leisure hour;
And, whilst surrounding objects they survey,
Some knowledge of the diff'rent scenes convey.
Tho' little of the kind I have to spare,
Yet what I have, I'm sure, I'll freely share,
And, any little child, by chance, you meet,
May name each Public Building, and each Street.
Or any stranger guide, and easy tell
The way to ev'ry Inn—or Grand Hotel.
Of course I can, with ease, each Fact’ry show,
And say—"There Handsworth lies-or there Soho."
Then, where yon Croſs salutes the azure skies,
See Philip's[1] noble dome majestic rise;
My station there I'll fix—as suiting best,
Then, faithful guide you—North, East, South, or West.
South-west the Foundry,[2] and the Brass-house[3] stand,
The Crescent,[4] and the Wharfs,[4] rich views command;
- ↑ St. Philip's is one of the handsomest Churches and Church-yards in England; it is situated on an eminence, and commands a beautiful and extensive Prospect. The walks around it are planted with trees. See plate H, of Magnificent Directory.
- ↑ Dearman and Francis's Iron Foundry, Magnificent Directory, plate U.
- ↑ Works belonging to the Braſs Company, plate L.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 See plate G.
