Anne Bradstreet(ea. 1612–1672)
Before the Birth of One of Her Children
All things w i t h i n this fading world h a t h e n d ,
Adversity d o t h still our joys attend;
No ties so strong, no friends so dear and sweet,
B u t w i t h death's parting b l o w is sure to m e e t .
T h e s e n t e n c e past is m o s t irrevocable,1
A c o m m o n thing, yet oh inevitable;
H o w soon, m y dear,2 d e a t h m a y m y steps attend,
H o w soon't m a y be thy lot to lose thy friend;
W e b o t h are ignorant, yet love bids m e
These farewell lines to recommend to thee,
T h a t w h e n that knot's untied3 that m a d e us o n e ,
I may s e e m thine, w h o in e f f e c t am n o n e .
A n d if I s e e not half my days that's due,4
W h a t nature w o u l d , G o d grant to yours and you;
T h e m a n y faults that well y o u k n o w I have,
Let be interr'd in my oblivion's5 grave;
If any w o r t h or virtue w e r e in m e ,
Let that live freshly in thy m e m o r y ,
A n d w h e n t h o u feel'st no grief, as I no harms,
Yet love thy dead, w h o l o n g lay in t h i n e arms:
A n d w h e n thy loss shall be repaid with gains,
Look to my little babes, my dear remains.
A n d if t h o u love thy self, or loved'st m e ,
T h e s e O protect from step-dame's injury.
A n d if c h a n c e to t h i n e eyes shall bring this verse,
W i t h s o m e sad sighs h o n o r my absent Hearse;corpse
A n d kiss this paper for thy love's dear sake,
W h o w i t h salt tears this last farewell did take.