'Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 18th, 1666' by Anne Bradstreet

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In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I waken'd was with thund'ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of "fire" and "fire,"
Let no man know is my Desire.
I starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest his grace that 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 that I should repine,
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 sate 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 the roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall 'ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle 'ere shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.
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 mouldring 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
Fram'd 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 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; farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love;
My hope and Treasure lies above.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Anne Bradstreet's "Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 18th, 1666": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Anne Bradstreet's "Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 18th, 1666" is a poem that captures the emotions and thoughts of a woman who has just lost her home and all her possessions to a devastating fire. Written in the 17th century, the poem is a reflection of the Puritan beliefs and values of the time, and yet it is also a timeless work of art that speaks to the human experience of loss and the struggle to find hope in the face of adversity.

The Poet and Her Context

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written and the poet who wrote it. Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan woman who emigrated from England to Massachusetts in the 1630s. She was a highly educated woman who wrote poetry and prose that reflected her religious beliefs and her experience as a wife, mother, and member of the Puritan community. Her poems, including "Verses upon the Burning of our House," were not published during her lifetime, but were circulated among friends and family.

The Puritan community in which Bradstreet lived was characterized by strict religious beliefs and a strong emphasis on moral purity and personal responsibility. Puritans believed in predestination, the idea that God had already determined who would be saved and who would be damned, and that the only way to ensure salvation was through a strict adherence to God's laws and commandments. They also believed in the importance of living a simple and humble life, free from materialism and worldly distractions.

Against this backdrop, Bradstreet's poetry reflects both the concerns and the values of her community. Her poems are deeply religious and moralistic, and yet they are also deeply personal and emotional, reflecting her own experiences and struggles as a woman, a mother, and a writer.

The Poem

"Verses upon the Burning of our House" is a poem that is both deeply personal and deeply religious. It is written in the first person, and the speaker is clearly Bradstreet herself. The poem is structured as a series of reflections on the fire that destroyed her home, and on the loss of all her possessions. Each stanza begins with a description of the fire and its destructive power, and then moves on to a reflection on the speaker's own feelings and thoughts in response to the loss.

The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem:

In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I wakened was with thund'ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of "Fire!" and "Fire!"
Let no man know is my Desire.

The speaker describes a peaceful night, interrupted suddenly by the sound of a fire. The use of the word "thund'ring" suggests the suddenness and violence of the event, and the "piteous shrieks" suggest the human suffering that accompanied the fire. The speaker's desire to keep the fire a secret is a reflection of the Puritan belief in the importance of personal humility and the avoidance of vanity.

The second stanza describes the effort to put out the fire:

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.
Then, coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.

Here, the speaker describes her immediate response to the fire, which is to turn to God for strength and support. The phrase "not to leave me succorless" suggests the speaker's belief in God's providential care, and her faith that God will not abandon her in her time of need. The image of the flame consuming her "dwelling place" is a powerful one, suggesting the profound loss that the speaker has suffered.

The third stanza reflects on the speaker's attachment to her possessions:

And when I could no longer look,
I blest His name that 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 that I should repine.

Here, the speaker reflects on her own emotional response to the loss of her possessions. She acknowledges her attachment to her goods, but also affirms her belief that they were never truly hers to begin with. The phrase "so 'twas just" suggests the speaker's acceptance of God's will, and her willingness to trust in His wisdom and goodness.

The fourth stanza reflects on the speaker's hope for the future:

Nay, quench thou dost my sparks and smoke,
And calm my troubled waves of smoke.
I, like an olive branch, do grow
Green in my Saviour's sight;
And there with him, in heaven's bliss,
I'll spend my long eternity.

Here, the speaker expresses her hope and faith in God's ultimate plan for her life. The image of the "olive branch" suggests the speaker's belief in her own spiritual renewal and growth, and the phrase "in heaven's bliss" suggests her ultimate hope for salvation and eternal life.

Literary Criticism

"Verses upon the Burning of our House" is a deeply symbolic and metaphorical poem that reflects the religious and cultural values of its time. The poem is filled with images and language that are rich in meaning and significance, and that speak to the speaker's own emotional and spiritual experience.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of loss and renewal. The fire that destroys the speaker's home is a symbol of the loss and destruction that are part of the human experience, but it is also a symbol of the possibility for renewal and growth. Through her faith in God, the speaker is able to find hope and comfort in the midst of her loss, and to imagine a future in which she will be renewed and restored.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of providence and the role of God in human life. The speaker's faith in God's care and provision is a central part of the poem, and it reflects the Puritan belief in God's sovereignty and control over all aspects of human life. The phrase "not to leave me succorless" is a powerful expression of this belief, suggesting that even in the face of the most profound loss and suffering, God is present and active in the life of the believer.

Finally, the poem is a reflection of the Puritan belief in the importance of personal humility and the avoidance of vanity. The speaker's desire to keep the fire a secret, and her acknowledgement that her possessions were never truly hers to begin with, are both expressions of this belief. The poem is a reminder that even in the face of loss and suffering, it is important to maintain a sense of humility and gratitude for the blessings that we do have.

Interpretation

"Verses upon the Burning of our House" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience of loss and the struggle to find hope and comfort in the midst of suffering. At its core, the poem is a reflection of the Puritan belief in the importance of faith, humility, and personal responsibility. Through the speaker's own experience, the poem invites us to reflect on our own response to loss and suffering, and to consider the role that faith and belief can play in helping us to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.

As we read the poem, we are reminded of the fragility and transience of human life, and of the importance of cherishing the blessings that we do have. We are also reminded of the power of faith and the hope that it can provide, even in the face of the most profound loss and suffering. Through the speaker's own experience of loss and renewal, we are invited to consider our own relationship with God and to reflect on the role of faith in our own lives.

In the end, "Verses upon the Burning of our House" is a timeless work of art that speaks to the human experience of loss and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity. Through its powerful imagery and language, it invites us to consider our own response to suffering and loss, and to find hope and comfort in the midst of even the darkest moments of our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Bradstreet’s poem, “Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 18th, 1666,” is a powerful and emotional reflection on the loss of her home and possessions in a devastating fire. Written in the Puritan era, Bradstreet’s poem is a testament to her faith and her ability to find comfort in the midst of tragedy.

The poem begins with Bradstreet describing the moment when she first realized her house was on fire. She writes, “In silent night when rest I took, / For sorrow near I did not look, / I wakened was with thund’ring noise / And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.” Bradstreet’s use of vivid imagery and sensory language creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, drawing the reader into the moment of the fire.

As Bradstreet watches her home burn, she reflects on the transience of earthly possessions and the importance of placing one’s faith in God. She writes, “And when I could no longer look, / I blest His name that gave and took, / That laid my goods now in the dust. / Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.” Bradstreet’s acceptance of her loss and her gratitude for God’s providence demonstrate her deep faith and trust in God’s plan.

Throughout the poem, Bradstreet uses religious imagery and references to biblical stories to convey her message. She compares her own loss to the biblical story of Job, who lost everything but remained faithful to God. She writes, “And when I could no longer look, / I blest His grace that 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 that I should repine.” Bradstreet’s use of biblical references serves to reinforce her message of faith and trust in God’s plan.

In addition to her religious themes, Bradstreet also explores the theme of home and the importance of place. She writes, “Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store. / The world no longer let me love, / My hope and treasure lies above.” Bradstreet’s use of the word “pelf” to describe her possessions highlights the idea that material possessions are ultimately unimportant. Instead, Bradstreet places her hope and treasure in heaven, emphasizing the importance of spiritual wealth over material wealth.

Bradstreet’s poem is also notable for its use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of AABBCCDD. This consistent structure gives the poem a sense of order and control, even in the midst of chaos and destruction.

Overall, “Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 18th, 1666” is a powerful and moving reflection on loss, faith, and the transience of earthly possessions. Bradstreet’s use of vivid imagery, religious themes, and structured rhyme and meter all contribute to the poem’s emotional impact. As a testament to Bradstreet’s faith and resilience in the face of tragedy, this poem remains a classic of American literature.

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