Here Follows Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House
July 10th, 1666

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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!" 5 Let no man know is my desire. 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. 10 Then, coming out, beheld a space The flame consume my dwelling place. And when I could no longer look, I blest His name that gave and took, That laid my goods now in the dust. 15 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. 20 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, 25 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. 30

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, 35 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 mold'ring dust? The arm of flesh didst make thy trust? 40 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, 45 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; 50 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. 1678

Anne Bradstreet (c. 1612-1672)