Puritan Poetry -- No Kidding!

Anne Bradstreet is one of America's first female writers. Her work is simple and accessible and this particular piece very illustrative of Puritan values and beliefs.

ON THE BURNING OF OUR HOUSE
by Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)

In silent night when rest I took
For sorrow near I did not look,
I wakened--'twas with thundering noise--
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
The fearful sound of fire and fire
Let no man know is my Desire.
I started 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.
Then coming out beheld a space
The flame consume my dwelling place,
And when I could no longer look
I blessed His Name who gave and took,
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 yet I should repine,
He might of All justly bereft,
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the Ruines oft I pass
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 'ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No candle 'ere shall shine in thee
Nor bridegroom's voice 'ere heard shall be.
In silence ever shalt thou lie
Adieu, adieu, all's vanity.
Then straight I 'gin my heart to chide,
And did thy wealth on Earth abide,
Didst fix thy hope on mouldering dust,
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a 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 Him who hath Enough to do.
A prize so vast as is unknown
Yet by his Gift is made thine own.
There's wealth enough--I need no more,
Farewell my pelf, farewell my store.
The world no longer let me love
My hope, my treasure, lies above.