When present times look back to Ages past, And calls back months and years that long since fled. The more I look’d, the more I grew amaz’d. 29 197 Man at the best a creature frail and vain,198 In knowledge ignorant, in strength but weak,199 Subject to sorrows, losses, sickness, pain,200 Each storm his state, his mind, his body break--201 From some of these he never finds cessation202 But day or night, within, without, vexation,203 Troubles from foes, from friends, from dearest, near'st Relation. Thy daily straight and yearly oblique path. Thinks each he sees will serve him in his kind. The dawning morn with songs thou dost prevent. The Mariner that on smooth waves doth glide. In pathless paths I lead my wand’ring feet. 6 36 Thy swift Annual and diurnal Course,37 Thy daily straight and yearly oblique path,38 Thy pleasing fervour, and thy scorching force,39 All mortals here the feeling knowledge hath.40 Thy presence makes it day, thy absence night,41 Quaternal seasons caused by thy might.42 Hail Creature, full of sweetness, beauty, and delight! 22 148 While on the stealing stream I fixt mine eye,149 Which to the long'd-for Ocean held its course,150 I markt nor crooks, nor rubs that there did lie151 Could hinder ought but still augment its force.152 O happy Flood, quoth I, that holds thy race153 Till thou arrive at thy beloved place,154 Nor is it rocks or shoals that can obstruct thy pace. Had I not better known (alas) the same had I. Thou as a Bridegroom from thy Chamber rushes. While musing thus with contemplation fed. With sullen hateful looks he goes his wayes. Whose ruffling top the Clouds seem’d to aspire; How long since thou wast in thine Infancy? She rejected the prevailing notions of women’s inferiority. Nor is it rocks or shoals that can obstruct thy pace. So Nature taught, and yet you know not why. So he that faileth in this world of pleasure. To get his bread with pain and sweat of face: A penalty impos’d on his backsliding Race. Thy strength and stature, more thy years admire. Verses upon the Burning of our House (full title: Here follow some verses upon the burning of our house, July 10, 1666) is a poem by Anne Bradstreet. 16 106 Who thinks not oft upon the Father's ages?107 Their long descent, how nephews' sons they saw,108 The starry observations of those Sages,109 And how their precepts to their sons were law,110 How Adam sigh'd to see his Progeny111 Cloth'd all in his black, sinful Livery,112 Who neither guilt not yet the punishment could fly. 24 162 Ye Fish which in this liquid Region 'bide163 That for each season have your habitation,164 Now salt, now fresh where you think best to glide165 To unknown coasts to give a visitation,166 In Lakes and ponds, you leave your numerous fry.167 So Nature taught, and yet you know not why,168 You watry folk that know not your felicity. From some of these he never finds cessation. Were gilded o’re by his rich golden head. By birth more noble than those creatures all. That neither toyles nor hoards up in thy barn, Feels no sad thoughts, nor cruciating cares, To gain more good, or shun what might thee harm. There is no comment submitted by members.. © Poems are the property of their respective owners. She first felt American soil on June 14, 1630 at what is now Pioneer Village (Salem, Massachusetts) with Simon, … Can make him deeply groan for that divine Translation. 7 43 Art thou so full of glory that no Eye44 Hath strength thy shining Rays once to behold?45 And is thy splendid Throne erect so high46 As, to approach it, can no earthly mould?47 How full of glory then must thy Creator be!48 Who gave this bright light luster unto thee.49 Admir'd, ador'd for ever be that Majesty! 33 225 O Time the fatal wrack of mortal things226 That draws oblivion's curtains over kings,227 Their sumptuous monuments, men know them not;228 Their names with a Record are forgot,229 Their parts, their ports, their pomp's all laid in th' dust.230 Nor wit, nor gold, nor buildings scape time's rust,231 But he whose name is grav'd in the white stone232 Shall last and shine when all of these are gone. Who forrage o’re the spacious sea-green field. But day or night, within, without, vexation. Bradstreet is best remembered today for her shorter poems rather than her long historical and philosophical works. And is thy splendid Throne erect so high? To straighten me in my Distress. At the age of sixteen she married Simon Bradstreet. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge... Recite this poem (upload your own video or voice file). Sings merrily and steers his Barque with ease. Feeding on sweets, that never bit of th’ sowre. The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride. Shall last and shine when all of these are gone. 30 204 And yet this sinful creature, frail and vain,205 This lump of wretchedness, of sin and sorrow,206 This weather-beaten vessel wrackt with pain,207 Joys not in hope of an eternal morrow.208 Nor all his losses, crosses, and vexation,209 In weight, in frequency and long duration210 Can make him deeply groan for that divine Translation. That opened her to criticism, not for her work itself, but that she dared to write and make her work public. The black clad Cricket bear a second part. Who fancies not his looks now at the Barr. Who neither guilt not yet the punishment could fly. Nor wit, nor gold, nor buildings scape times rust; But he whose name is grav’d in the white stone. That turn’d his Sovereign to a naked thrall, Who like a miscreant’s driven from that place. 23 155 Nor is't enough that thou alone may'st slide,156 But hundred brooks in thy clear waves do meet,157 So hand in hand along with thee they glide158 To Thetis' house, where all imbrace and greet.159 Thou Emblem true of what I count the best,160 O could I lead my Rivolets to rest,161 So may we press to that vast mansion, ever blest. And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice. Her volume of poetry The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America ... received considerable favorable attention when it was first published in London in 1650. I once that lov’d the shady woods so well. 13 85 Here Cain and Abel come to sacrifice,86 Fruits of the Earth and Fatlings each do bring.87 On Abel's gift the fire descends from Skies,88 But no such sign on false Cain's offering.89 With sullen hateful looks he goes his ways,90 Hath thousand thoughts to end his brother's days,91 Upon whose blood his future good he hopes to raise. In knowledge ignorant, in strength but weak. And then the earth (though old) still clad in green. Their sumptuous monuments, men know them not. 12 78 Here sits our Grand-dame in retired place79 And in her lap her bloody Cain new born.80 The weeping Imp oft looks her in the face,81 Bewails his unknown hap and fate forlorn.82 His Mother sighs to think of Paradise83 And how she lost her bliss to be more wise,84 Believing him that was and is Father of lies. Thy pleasing fervour, and thy scorching force. 31 211 The Mariner that on smooth waves doth glide212 Sings merrily and steers his Barque with ease213 As if he had command of wind and tide214 And now becomes great Master of the seas,215 But suddenly a storm spoils all the sport216 And makes him long for a more quiet port,217 Which 'gainst all adverse winds may serve for fort. To sing some Song my mazed Muse thought meet. The poem has a couplet-based rhyme scheme. Her volume of poetry The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America ... received considerable favorable attention when it was first published in London in 1650. Reminds not what is past, nor whats to come dost fear. Silent alone where none or saw, or heard. 15 99 Who fancies not his looks now at the Bar,100 His face like death, his heart with horror fraught.101 Nor Male-factor ever felt like war,102 When deep despair with wish of life hath fought,103 Branded with guilt, and crusht with treble woes,104 A Vagabond to Land of Nod he goes, 105 A City builds that walls might him secure from foes. And if the sun would ever shine, there would I dwell. And take the trembling prey before it yield. Anne and Simon, along with Anne’s parents, emigrated to America aboard the Arbella as part of the Winthrop Fleet of Puritan emigrants in 1630.