'Spirit' by Anne Bradstreet
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Be still, thou unregenerate part,
Disturb no more my settled heart,
For I have vow'd (and so will do)
Thee as a foe still to pursue,
And combat with thee will and must
Until I see thee laid in th' dust.
Sister we are, yea twins we be,
Yet deadly feud 'twixt thee and me,
For from one father are we not.
Thou by old Adam wast begot,
But my arise is from above,
Whence my dear father I do love.
Thou speak'st me fair but hat'st me sore.
Thy flatt'ring shews I'll trust no more.
How oft thy slave hast thou me made
When I believ'd what thou hast said
And never had more cause of woe
Than when I did what thou bad'st do.
I'll stop mine ears at these thy charms
And count them for my deadly harms.
Thy sinful pleasures I do hate,
Thy riches are to me no bait.
Thine honours do, nor will I love,
For my ambition lies above.
My greatest honour it shall be
When I am victor over thee,
And Triumph shall, with laurel head,
When thou my Captive shalt be led.
How I do live, thou need'st not scoff,
For I have meat thou know'st not of.
The hidden Manna I do eat;
The word of life, it is my meat.
My thoughts do yield me more content
Than can thy hours in pleasure spent.
Nor are they shadows which I catch,
Nor fancies vain at which I snatch
But reach at things that are so high,
Beyond thy dull Capacity.
Eternal substance I do see
With which inriched I would be.
Mine eye doth pierce the heav'ns and see
What is Invisible to thee.
My garments are not silk nor gold,
Nor such like trash which Earth doth hold,
But Royal Robes I shall have on,
More glorious than the glist'ring Sun.
My Crown not Diamonds, Pearls, and gold,
But such as Angels' heads infold.
The City where I hope to dwell,
There's none on Earth can parallel.
The stately Walls both high and trong
Are made of precious Jasper stone,
The Gates of Pearl, both rich and clear,
And Angels are for Porters there.
The Streets thereof transparent gold
Such as no Eye did e're behold.
A Crystal River there doth run
Which doth proceed from the Lamb's Throne.
Of Life, there are the waters sure
Which shall remain forever pure.
Nor Sun nor Moon they have no need
For glory doth from God proceed.
No Candle there, nor yet Torch light,
For there shall be no darksome night.
From sickness and infirmity
Forevermore they shall be free.
Nor withering age shall e're come there,
But beauty shall be bright and clear.
This City pure is not for thee,
For things unclean there shall not be.
If I of Heav'n may have my fill,
Take thou the world, and all that will."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Spirit by Anne Bradstreet: A Masterpiece of Puritan Poetry
When one thinks of Puritan literature, the first name that comes to mind is often that of Anne Bradstreet. Born in England in 1612 and immigrating to America with her family in 1630, Bradstreet is known as the first published poet in the American colonies. Her works, which range from religious meditations to personal reflections on motherhood and mortality, are a testament to the complex and often conflicted spirit of early America. Among her most famous poems is "Poetry, Spirit," a stirring meditation on the power of the written word to connect us with the divine.
Background and Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Bradstreet was a Puritan, a member of a strict Protestant sect that emphasized personal piety and the search for salvation. The Puritans believed in the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the necessity of divine grace for salvation. They also believed in the power of the written word to convey religious truths and inspire spiritual growth. For the Puritans, poetry was not just a form of artistic expression, but a means of communicating with God.
Bradstreet's life was marked by both tragedy and triumph. She lost several children to illness, and also struggled with poor health herself. Yet she was a prolific and talented writer, publishing two volumes of poetry during her lifetime. Her works were well-received both in America and in England, where she and her husband traveled on diplomatic missions.
Analysis of "Poetry, Spirit"
"Poetry, Spirit" is a short but powerful poem that explores the relationship between the poet and the divine. The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no set rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and fluidity, as if the words are flowing directly from the poet's heart.
The poem begins with a rhetorical question: "Who hath put pen to paper, and expressed / The noble acts of men?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of the written word. Bradstreet goes on to describe how poetry can capture the essence of a person's character and deeds, even after they have passed away. She writes:
The brave man's virtues, by the poet's pen, Ennobled, live till Time shall be no more.
Here, Bradstreet is echoing the Puritan belief in the importance of leaving a legacy of good works. By immortalizing the deeds of virtuous men through poetry, the poet can inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
The poem then takes a turn towards the personal, as Bradstreet reflects on her own relationship with the divine. She writes:
And yet, alas, when all is done, I find This nothing can my hungry soul suffice, But Heav'nly food, and that, alas, behind.
Here, Bradstreet is acknowledging the limitations of human language and the written word. No matter how eloquently she may write, she cannot fully express the spiritual hunger that drives her. Only God can provide the sustenance that her soul craves.
The final stanza of the poem is a prayer, as Bradstreet implores the divine to guide her in her writing:
O thou, the food of soul, the light of eyes, O let my thoughts still climb these lofty stairs, And like thyself, O everlasting wise, Let me be moved with holy fears and tears.
This prayer is a reflection of Bradstreet's deep faith and her desire to use her talents for the glory of God. She recognizes that her writing is a gift from the divine, and she wishes to use it to draw closer to God and inspire others to do the same.
Interpretation
"Poetry, Spirit" is a poem that speaks to the power of language and the human desire for connection with the divine. Bradstreet's use of free verse and rhetorical questions create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the reader is in dialogue with the poet herself. The poem is a celebration of the written word, but also a reminder of its limitations. No matter how eloquently we may write, we cannot fully convey the mysteries of the divine.
At its core, "Poetry, Spirit" is a deeply personal poem. Bradstreet is not just celebrating the power of poetry in general, but reflecting on her own relationship with God. Her acknowledgement of her own spiritual hunger is a reminder that even the most pious among us can never fully satisfy our thirst for the divine. We can only continue to climb the "lofty stairs" towards heaven, hoping to catch a glimpse of the divine along the way.
Conclusion
"Poetry, Spirit" is a masterpiece of Puritan poetry, a reflection of the complex and often conflicted spirit of early America. Anne Bradstreet's use of free verse and rhetorical questions create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader in to her world. The poem is a celebration of the power of the written word, but also a reminder of its limitations. Ultimately, "Poetry, Spirit" is a deeply personal reflection on the human desire for connection with the divine, and a prayer for guidance in that quest.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Spirit: A Masterpiece by Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet, one of the most prominent poets of the 17th century, is known for her exceptional literary works that reflect her Puritan beliefs and her personal experiences. Her poem, Poetry Spirit, is a classic example of her exceptional writing skills and her deep understanding of the art of poetry. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and the poet's message.
The poem, Poetry Spirit, is a tribute to the muse of poetry, who is personified as a divine being that inspires and guides the poet in their creative endeavors. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between the poet and the muse.
In the first stanza, Bradstreet describes the muse as a "heavenly maid" who descends from the heavens to inspire the poet. The poet is depicted as a passive recipient of the muse's inspiration, who is "ravished" by her beauty and grace. The use of the word "ravished" is significant as it suggests that the poet is overwhelmed by the muse's presence and is unable to resist her influence. The poet's role is to surrender to the muse's inspiration and allow her to guide their creative process.
The second stanza explores the muse's role in shaping the poet's work. Bradstreet describes the muse as a "skillful artist" who "guides the pen" and "directs the lines." The poet is depicted as a vessel through which the muse's creativity flows, and the muse is responsible for shaping the poet's work into a masterpiece. The use of the word "skillful" suggests that the muse is not only a source of inspiration but also a master of the art of poetry. The poet's role is to trust the muse's guidance and allow her to shape their work into something beautiful.
In the third and final stanza, Bradstreet reflects on the power of poetry and the role of the poet in society. She describes poetry as a "heavenly gift" that has the power to "charm the senses" and "move the mind." The poet is depicted as a messenger who has the power to inspire and influence others through their words. The use of the word "heavenly" suggests that poetry is a divine art that has the power to transcend earthly boundaries and connect people on a spiritual level.
Throughout the poem, Bradstreet employs a range of literary devices to convey her message. The use of personification, for example, is significant as it allows the poet to depict the muse as a divine being with supernatural powers. The use of imagery is also significant as it allows the poet to create vivid and sensory descriptions of the muse's beauty and the power of poetry. The use of repetition, particularly in the third stanza, is significant as it emphasizes the importance of poetry and the role of the poet in society.
The poem's message is clear: poetry is a divine art that has the power to inspire, influence, and connect people on a spiritual level. The poet's role is to surrender to the muse's inspiration, trust her guidance, and allow her to shape their work into something beautiful. The power of poetry lies in its ability to charm the senses and move the mind, and the poet has the responsibility to use this power to inspire and influence others.
In conclusion, Poetry Spirit is a masterpiece by Anne Bradstreet that explores the relationship between the poet and the muse of poetry. Through vivid imagery, personification, and repetition, Bradstreet conveys the message that poetry is a divine art that has the power to inspire, influence, and connect people on a spiritual level. The poet's role is to surrender to the muse's inspiration, trust her guidance, and use the power of poetry to inspire and influence others. Poetry Spirit is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and influence poets and readers alike.
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