Read the excerpt from the poem "Faces in the Street" by Henry Lawson. Answer the question that follows.
The human river dwindles when 'tis past the hour of eight,
Its waves go flowing faster in the fear of being late;
But slowly drag the moments, whilst beneath the dust and heat
The city grinds the owners of the faces in the street—
Grinding body, grinding soul,
Yielding scarce enough to eat—
Oh! I sorrow for the owners of the faces in the street.
How does the poet's use of the phrase "city grinds the owners of the faces in the street" contribute to the stanza's layers of meaning?
It describes a joyful city atmosphere.
It hints at the city's numerous opportunities for people.
It metaphorically suggests the hardships faced by the people in the city.
It implies the physical shape of the city's buildings.