To hear the sweep begin his beat,

And squalling startle the dull street,

From his watch-box in the alley

Till the watch at six doth sally;

Then to go, in spite of sleep,

And at the window cry, “Sweep! sweep!”

Through the street-door, or the area,

Or, in the country, through the dairy;

While the dustman, with his din,

Bawls and rings to be let in,