Anne Bradstreet and Her Time
, and one chief one was now very near. Probably no event in the first years of Anne Bradstreet's life in the little colony had as much significance for her as th
him by King James who admired his learning, having ended so thoroughly that he was hunted like an escaped convict. Fearless and almost reckless, the Colonial ministers wondered at his boldness, a brother of Nathaniel Ward saying a
not later than ten days after birth, had been delayed, and Winthrop gives a characteristic picture of the scene: "The Lord's day following, he (Mr. Cotton) exercised in the afternoon, and being to be admitted, he signified his desire and readiness to make his confession according to order, which he said might be sufficient in declaring his faith about bapt
difficulty, and on Sept. 10, another gathering from all the neighboring towns, witnessed his induction into the new church a ce
ston, was much as if Phillips Brooks should bestow himself upon the remotest English settlement in Australia, or a missionary station in northern Minnesota, and a ripple of excitement ran through the whole community. It meant keener political as well as religio
ver forgot it. If ever men, for real worth and greatness, deserved such pre-eminence, they did; they had wisdom, great learning, great force of will, devout consecration, philanthropy, purity of life. For once in the history of the world, the sovereign places were filled by the s
iel Ward, whose caustic wit spared neither himself nor the most reverend among his brethren, wrote in his "Simple Cobbler": "We have a strong weakness in New England, that when we are speaking, we know not how to conclude. We make many ends, before we make an
simple meeting house in the new Boston. The one man alive, who, perhaps, has gone through his works conscientiously and hopefully, Moses Coit Tyler, writes of John Cotton's works: "These are indeed clear and cogent in reasoning; the language is well enough, but that is all. There are almost no remarkable merits in thought or style.
chariot of his rhetoric ceased to be triumphant when the master himself ceased to drive it," and we shall never know the spell of his genius. For one who had shown himself so uncompromising in action where his own belie
th; let me have your prayer
ng that belonged to every church, and it is easy to see how his hold on his cong
are in confirming her faith and stimulating her thought. Dudley and he remained friends to the end, and conferred often on public as well as private matters,
gland relish for petty detail may have had its origin in this religious gossip. As usual the first trouble would seem to have arisen from envy, though undoubtedly its originator strenuously denied any such suspicion. The houses at Cambridge had gradually been made more and more comfortable, though even in the beginning, they were the rudest of structures, the roofs covered with thatch, the fire-places generally
as stately and well-ordered a home as theirs, the old castle still testifying to the love of beauty in its ancient owners." Dudley's excuse was, howev
ar, had criticised sharply the former's unexpected removal to Boston, and placable as Winthrop always was, a little feeling had arisen, which must have affected both families. The first open indication of Dudley's money-loving propensities had also been made a matt
dgment of his services to the Colony, than permanent home at Cambridge could have done. Objections were urged against the removal, and after long discussion waxing hotter and hotter Dudley resigned, in a most Puritan fit of temper, leaving the council in a passion and "clapping the door behind him." Better thoughts came to all. The gentle temper of both wife and daughter quieted him, and disposed him to look favora
stinctive books in early American literature, "The Simple Cobbler of Agawam." That he became the strong personal friend of the Bradstreet family was natural, for not only were they of the same social status, but sympathetic in many points, though Simon Bradstreets' moderation and tolerant spirit undoubtedly fretted the uncompromising Puritan whose opinions were as stiff and incisive as his way of putting them. An extensive traveller, a man of ripe culture, having been a successful lawyer before the ministry attracted him, he was the friend of Francis Bacon, of Archbishop Usher and the famous Heidelberg theologian, David Pareus. He had travelled widely and knew men and manners, and into the exhortations and expoundings of his daily life, the unfoldings of the complicated religious experience demanded of every Puritan, must have crept many a rem
atter with such stuff," and then announces that he proposes, "for this once to borrow a little of their loose-tongued liberty, and mis-spend a word or two upon their long-waisted but short-skirted patience." "I honor the woman that can honor herself with her attire," he goes on, his wrath rising as he writes; "a good text always deserves a fair margent, but as for a woman who lives but to ape the newest court- fashions, I look at her as the very gizzard of a trifle, the product of a quarter of a cipher, the epitome of nothing; fitter to be kicked, if she were of a kickable substance, than either honored or humored. To speak moderately, I truly confess, it is beyond the ken of my understanding to conceive how those women should have any true grace or valuable virtue, that have so little wit as t
but the generations have danced to it since the world began, each with a profound conviction of its newness, and their own success in following its lead. Nor was he al
debate, the governor, perceiving it to grow to some earnestness, interposed, and so it brake off." Isaiah had protested, before Nathaniel Ward or the Council echoed him, but if this is the attitude the sturdy preacher held toward the women of his congregation, he must have found it well to resign his place to his su
nied him from England becoming the President of Harvard College. His sympathy with Simon Bradstreet's moderate and tolerant views, at once brought them together, and undou
in Courts and
s do a Tole
egg bring fort
l with Heres
ht false charges against the king, and as a result, was accused of being one of the king's agents in New England. Anne Bradstreet's sympathies were even more strongly with him than those of her h
The spring of 1636-7 brought still more stringent care. Watches were kept and no one allowed to travel without arms. The Pequot war was the culmination for the time, the seed of other and more atrocious conflicts to come, and whatever the judgment of to-day may be on the causes which brought such results, the terror of the settlers was a very real a
and the perpetual apprehension of every woman who dreaded the horrible possibilities of Indian outrage, must have gone far toward intensifying and grinding in the morbid sensitiveness which even to-day is part of the genuine New England woman's character. The grim details of expeditions against them were known to every child. The same impatience of any word i
safety to their vessels, where they take account of their prisoners. The squaws and some young youths they brought home wit
the general administration of affairs. In these affairs every woman was interested to a degree that has had no parallel since, unless it may be, on the Southern side during our civil war. Politics and religion were one, and removal
. had then begun his reign, loyalty was a necessity, and no strictures upon kings could be allowed. The poem, which is rather a summary of political difficulties, has its own interest, as showing how thoroughly she had caught th
ND AND NEW, CONCERNING THEIR
ENGL
her, fairest Q
alth and peace
ang thy head and
dust, to sigh t
f new woes th
of thy ever
wailing tone, th
aughter, she m
ENGL
indeed of t
ced tongue my
f dissect my t
istendome stand
ld, a Limbe, a
weakened bod
urging portion
sumption, or a
rdial, thou fe
t help may e
dost think tho
ng state dost
case, if't be
alone, while
ENGL
) your state y
s, but will not
shall I seek t
so dangerous
s, would have m
Hengist like th
ce usurp'd thy
us warrs thy fi
us, that brav
efull Scepter
man, whose vi
ood bedews thy
tine warrs th
ephen for the
and side agai
reign aid to h
e deposed? or
hard must be cl
fatal jarr
ed white pricki
s aid, the Nob
reak the Tush
e, dear Mother,
ear Spain's b
fair France, co
s play false b
uit you ill fo
torm from Earth
s't famine, or
smart or fear
d intreats you,
Purse she hath
overty; yet s
r your help, a
ENGL
some of those
body at this
oe, nor feigne
k enough, (thou k
's Son nor Hen
ntention cause
ding to make
justly to the
hard, to lose
trians to ren
k nor Earl of
indred's blood w
rant now usu
ew that so he
Tudor Ros
h is the Red or
g Fleet a seco
ow oft my fury
rd, and Henry
n mine Arms a
tland hurts m
h been injurio
is I am in
much unto hi
some I feel, b
stilence, who
gue, two Siste
o a Land doth
punishment or
ears prevent
swer not wha
ievance of my
he Effect I'le
ns, the breach
upplanter o
Superstitio
countenanced b
dden down and
were sold and b
hoped to find
d Blasphemie
himself such
f the saints of
s did daily
ts, what nick-na
wn but for thei
oul, wert jeer'd
r the truth w
eaking, and fo
profaneness
lood yet clea
others, dyin
ely heads on b
t title to a
crueltyes by g
ths, and Claren
st thou dye in
al stem, that
y, Adulter
nation I ca
extortion an
draes of my sto
tter fountains,
urce, the sprigs, th
thou canst he
hand I still
e threatened
reachers, put
yet upon Rec
struction to
ed not, now I
of stubborn
livings, some
house and friend
gues to heaven d
ongs, and hath j
y it seven fo
runner of my
ning by my nei
rmany's dism
ple famish'd,
land a barren
her Armyes f
abes toss'd, he
Rochel yielde
tarved Christi
eland bleedin
as all report
durate stood
that cup, and
reggs reserve
ENGL
said, sad Mo
s great cause th
s in part, hol
your punishm
ay amounts to
feel but what
erms what is yo
heads and hearts
ENGL
ter then, there
d Peers a Ques
ief, the law or
he, the other
y beter part
ning land, shew
oud, and right
urch, and stay
acles came i
a stand what
new prerogat
ld Law fast, al
rudence stood th
Strafford low
be't spoke, they
s Metropolit
ct they would h
ould his Bish
y hard (indeed)
done by Gospe
litia they
d (I need not
eas'd at York
g return, shew
rinting, posti
one, I'll there
e to speak of
'twixt Subjects
so long, they
ay on heaps, her
s so many yea
d and slaughter
ield alone this
wo or three
be beginning
this may be
in this sad
owns, my house
gins and my yo
ing fall'n, my
come, but ploug
ws not who sha
t their pay, thei
Mothers' tea
y in thy h
like love tho
do what there
that good I'v
ENGL
se complaints an
dust, chear u
her Nurse, and
owels gladly
pity, but so
oubles much go
atter days of
ouded all with
opery the da
in's brightnes
Nobles of t
es for Truth's de
ommons, who fo
nged Laws hav
unties, who did
States to test
eachers, who di
word of God
t on them with
ot with prayers,
elf let mis
f thy State I
ayes the Church
ings, head, tail,
s' vestments for
Surplices, and
Crossiers, and
ames consume, b
ome, and all th
whore, with al
Essex, with a
ing, nor to th
hurt his people
, expel and t
Nobles, chase
opeful Cause
you weep and h
ne, then drown y
p so much, tha
an will o'erf
they I trust, wit
, such glorious
es beholding mu
ed peace, thy wea
weal establish'
y, that then disp
ine erected
gs shall come an
ll in all thy co
ect of perso
cease, and Suits s
urse of Client
issions shall
and Catchpoles
happy nation
ghteousness they
ce, thine Armies
ome, and all he
ame, thy fame a
Ancestors i
yls full pay wi
ly once she po
s thou canst,
ur the vengea
ast that rul'd the
sh, and set your
filthy Den
ment of all tha
brandish'd Swo
't, but English
ste for so 's
s thou hast
ed lift up your
ay of your Red
fall from your
hall adore wh
f the Nations
Gentile to o
days of happi
fall, to live t
all then be fou
n horses bell'
ay thereto, th
thou did'st not
Mother, rightes
e, you'll tel
in somewhat more lively strain. But lively was an adjective to which Mistress Anne had a rooted objection. Her contemporaries indulged in an occasional solemn pun, b
g with a faint-very faint-suggestion of S
been, even su
y, say I, and
e, youth's wild
exed middle
ers and anxiet
tage am come
ng and strong a
pueri senes,
e I've foun
ll perfecti
alour, honor,
se now fallin
arning Rhetori
er, death's warf
odly state, no
h, or ease, if
iance can I
e done well th
uth is Godly,
aff then to s
t, some joyful
pilgrimage I
eavens with ple
in rain'd al
onor, sometime
bject, then a
anges oft mine
mes of state
ingdom nouris
uled by that
edar, others
ubs they did the
ce and Holland
nd Albertus
ce at home, t
at last those
ght the clay at
st that radian
iefs I saw our
opes then kept o
queen for king
ny blest and p
rince, the gl
h seiz'd by heav
arts with fears, w
ate, and our
m Rome an exe
w up nobles a
horrid fact so
s say'd with t
een to live on
gifts from st
r their ma
rince-dome a
gns for Ree an
latinate fo
worthy men a
ones suffer
avour, riches
r days or once re
b'd, and some to
struck both with
so have you, f
ion of a go
cted so that
unsel, but the
thousand slaug
opish, helli
ve, and so you
ill in blood u
by force thrust
er subt'ly m
ate unmoulded,
ve to see't m
nder'd, taxt and
ill you may s
ughts, this is
freely spea
-wives tales, bu
to tell what's
re and there of the spirit of the time. Gentle as was Anne Bradstreet's nature, i
ve, and so you
ll in blood unt
story holds. The numbers butchered were something appaling, and Hume writes: "By some computations, those who perished by all these cruelties are supposed to be a hundred and fifty or two hundred t
he rule, and her verses hold various fierce and unexpected outbursts against enemies of her faith or country. The constant discussion of mooted points by the ministers as well as people, made each man the judge of questions that agitated every mind, and problems of all natures from national down to town meeting debates, were pondered over in every Puritan home. Cotton's interest in detail never flagged, and his influence was felt at every point in the Colony, and though Ipswich, both in time and facilities for reaching it, was more widely separated fro
chiefly on divinity and history, and from the latter source Anne obtained the minute historical knowledge shown in her rhymed account of "The Four Monarchies." It
honored and
me, or ought
ght better de
orthy self from
s an anxious one. The General Court called for the presence of both Dudley and Bradstreet, the latter spending much of his time away, and some of the tenderest and most natural of Anne Bradstreet's poems, was written at this time, though regarded as too purely personal to find place in any ed
rt, mine Eyes, m
agazine of e
ne as surel
there, whilst I
head from the
, soon would
th this season
ne so far in
yed, nor storms
frigid colds d
mbs now numme
n sweet Sol,
time, alas, w
ruits which throu
tentment yield
ctures of their
t! now thou art
, the tediou
Northward to m
n may never
ncer of my gl
use of him my
ver stay, and
ad decree shall
flesh, bone
there, yet
ral in expression, but st
ste, the day's t
ts, the fittest
once, unto my
riefs in eith
ling of thy whee
cents of my d
Carrier thou c
oon, this Erra
the man more l
sorrows of hi
hts, my groans,
ging hopes, my
e, how can he
ore than all th
ll the Starrs
ss that in the
woods, the hail
field numbe
that in the
ighs, and numb
ntless steps that
, thy Spouse th
anst not treat
salute her f
nth I see no d
r scituate un
day long wait
when thou dost
t thou but thus
beams of thy
if so thou co
os blacker t
worse than a c
rld's a fatho
e fervor of h
ry the torrent
ld say more bu
ds, abruptest
double speed,
es, conjure hi
ry; with its conceits and twisted meanings, its mannerisms and baldness, but still the feeling i
that (Hartless
woods and Fern w
very bush and
eer might ans
ous soul, which
(far dearer He
doubts and hopes
hear or per
nsive Dove d
bough) most u
f her Love an
th made her s
I, with many a
tle true, who
d his safe retu
oleful sighs an
ing Mullet th
t, nor joy nor
that shore th
captive husb
one I lead a
ng sphere, ye
l, to him can't
re, alas, both
ear, my Joy,
e, thy Mullet
s in pasture, h
one, O me, thes
one Tree, O
urtles roost w
Mullets in on
emain one til
Love and De
broad and
.
of straining or of imitation in the quiet fervor of the words, that must have carried
r and lovi
were one the
re loved by wi
fe was hap
me ye women
e more than who
hes that the E
h that Rivers
ove from thee g
such I can n
eward thee, m
ive in love let
ve no more, we
natural expression. One must seek, however, to discover why she failed even when admitting that failure was the only thing to be expected, and the causes are in the na