Chimney-Sweepers and Dandelions

I haven't read Shakespeare -- in any way, shape, or form -- since my freshman English Lit class at the University of Illinois. (Don't bother taking me to task. I've still managed to live a very full and happy life, even without the Bard.) But I'm rather struck by this verse, as passed along and elaborated upon by the estimable Patrick Kurp:

Fear no more the heat o’ th’ sun.
Nor the furious winter’s rages,
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages.
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.

I was fully prepared to take "chimney-sweepers" literally (chimney-sweeping is, after all, quite dusty and dirty work) but the dandelion explanation makes the term into a really nice metaphor.