what does this mean?

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Vivian. But Nature is so uncomfortable. Grass is hard and lumpy and damp, and full of dreadful black insects. Why, even Morris’s poorest workman could make you a more comfortable seat than the whole of Nature can. Nature pales before the furniture of ‘the street which from Oxford has borrowed its name,’ as the poet you love so much once vilely phrased it. I don’t complain. If Nature had been comfortable, mankind would never have invented architecture, and I prefer houses to the open air.

what does the bold part mean here? not a clue.
Thanks ahead, everyone.

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@lizfeehily,

It is referring to Oxford Street (in London, presumably).

A poet who is apparently much loved by Vivian has, in the past, referred to Oxford Street in such a way and the author of your quoted piece is expressing his or her disapproval of that description.

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@Lordyaswas,

He probably wanted you to answer in words he could understand, Lawdy.

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@lizfeehily,

Oxford St. which borrowed its name from Oxford. It's a quote from William Wordsworth's poem Power of Music:

"AN Orpheus! an Orpheus! yes, Faith may grow bold,
And take to herself all the wonders of old;--
Near the stately Pantheon you'll meet with the same
In the street that from Oxford hath borrowed its name."

Vivian, in Oscar Wilde's The Decay of Lying doesn't like the way Wordsworth phrased it.

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@InfraBlue,

What are you Blue? Some kinda English Lit professor, that it?

"Oh, heavens, no. He was such a plain boy." (Oscar Wilde)

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@lizfeehily,

lizfeehily wrote:

Vivian. But Nature is so uncomfortable. Grass is hard and lumpy and damp, and full of dreadful black insects. Why, even Morris’s poorest workman could make you a more comfortable seat than the whole of Nature can. Nature pales before the furniture of ‘the street which from Oxford has borrowed its name,’ as the poet you love so much once vilely phrased it. I don’t complain. If Nature had been comfortable, mankind would never have invented architecture, and I prefer houses to the open air.

what does the bold part mean here? not a clue.
Thanks ahead, everyone.

Analyzed, it says:
A poet that someone likes said Oxford (University) borrowed its name from Oxford Street.

However, the author of that passage thinks that the poet's words were vile.

Oxford street's furniture is more comfortable than nature.

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what does this mean?

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