. Her work met with a positive reception in both the Old World
and the New World.
Bradstreet was born Anne Dudley in Northampton
, England
, 1612. She was the daughter of Thomas Dudley
, a steward of the Earl of Lincoln
, and Dorothy Yorke. Due to her family's position she grew up in cultured circumstances and was a well-educated woman for her time, being tutored in history, several languages and literature.
What to my Saviour shall I giveWho freely hath done this for me?I'll serve him here whilst I shall liveAnd Loue him to Eternity
A Spring returns, and they more youthful made;But Man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid.
"Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou onNothing but Meditation?
Such cold mean flowers the spring puts forth betime,Before the sun hath thoroughly heat the clime.
Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire,Fly back and sing amidst this choir.
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.
The principal might yield a greater sum,Yet handled ill, amounts but to this crumb;
Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending.
Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.