*ANNE BRADSTREET (1612-1672)*

"To my Dear and Loving Husband"

If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me, ye women, if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay, The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let's so persevere That when we live no more, we may live ever.

"By Night while Others soundly Slept"

By night when others soundly slept
And hath at once both ease and Rest,
My waking eyes were open kept
And so to lie I found it best.

I sought him whom my Soul did Love,
With tears I sought him earnestly.
He bow'd his ear down from Above.
In vain I did not seek or cry.

My hungry Soul he fill'd with Good;
He in his Bottle put my tears,
My smarting wounds washt in his blood,
And banisht thence my Doubts and fears.

What to my Saviour shall I give
Who freely hath done this for me?
I'll serve him here whilst I shall live
And Love him to Eternity.

"In Thankful Remembrance for My Dear Husband's Safe Arrival Sept 3, 1662"

What shall I render to Thy name Or how Thy praises speak? My thanks how shall I testify? O Lord, Thou know'st I'm weak. I owe so much, so little can Return unto Thy name, Confusion seizes on my soul, And I am filled with shame. O Thou that hearest prayers, Lord, To Thee shall come all flesh Thou hast me heard and answered, My plaints have had access. What did I ask for but Thou gav'st? What could I more desire? But thankfulness even all my days I humbly this require. Thy mercies, Lord, have been so great In number numberless, Impossible for to recount Or any way express. O help Thy saints that sought Thy face T' return unto Thee praise And walk before Thee as they ought, In strict and upright ways.

Reflection: When first reading these poems, what caught my attention was how sincere this woman's love was for her husband. The woman cherished the love for her husband more than any riches and felt that nothing could compare to the love that they shared. When the husband was away the woman was weak and her soul was confused. This shows that she needs her husband, for he is her strength, and when he safely returns home there is no one in the world as thankful as her. The couple came together as one and shared love for eachother equally. In the end of the first poem the woman states that since the love that they share is so compassionate, when they live no more their love will continue on.

Dear Diary,
The love that a woman and a man share is something special that should always be cherished. Although at times, times are tough and there are many obstacles to overcome, a couple such as the one in the poem, stick together and perservere through nearly anything. I believe that during these times, a love such as this is valued far more than any riches and the two people can come together as one. Although no one can live forever, the love that the two people share, can and will continue on. The love that people share makes a huge impact on the way that they live their lives and during this time period love means more than anything else. I only hope that for the future generations, love will continue to live on and be valued as meaningfully as it is now!