Anne Bradstreet(ea. 1612–1672)
Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House July 10th, 1666
of Our House July 10th, 1666
Copied Out of a Loose Paper
In silent night w h e n rest I took
For sorrow near I did n o t look
I w a k e n e d w a s w i t h thund'ring n o i s e
A n d p i t e o u s shrieks of dreadful voice.
T h a t fearful s o u n d of "Fire! and "Fire!
Let no m a n k n o w is my desire.5
I, starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To strengthen me in my distress
And not to leave me succorless.without aid
Then, coming out, beheld a space 0for a I time
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest His name that gave and took,6
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.
It was His own, it was not mine,
Far be it that I should repine;complain
He might of all justly bereft
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the ruins oft I past
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast,
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sat and long did lie:
Here stood that trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best.
My pleasant things in ashes lie,
And them behold no more shall I.
Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy table eat a bit.
No pleasant tale shall e'er be told,
Nor things recounted done of old.
No candle e'er shall shine in thee,
Nor bridegroom's voice e'er heard shall be.
In silence ever shall thou lie,
Adieu, Adieu, all's vanity.empty, worthless
Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide,
And did thy wealth on earth abide
Didst fix thy hope on mold'ring dust
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast an house on high erect,
Framed by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished,
Stands permanent though this be fled.
It's purchased and paid for too
By Him7 who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown
Yet by His gift is made thine own;
There's wealth enough, I need no more,
Farewell, my pelf,8 farewell my store.
The world no longer let me love,
My hope and treasure lies above.
6. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;sins of Adam and Eve.