Anne Bradstreet

Anne Bradstreet (ca. 1612 – September 16, 1672) was the first published American woman writer.

Sourced

• I have not studied in this you read to show you my skill but to declare the truth, not to set forth myself, but to the glory of God.

Biographical account left for her family 1672.

• If for thy Father askt, say, thou hadst none;
  And for thy Mother, she alas is poor,
  Which caus'd her thus to send thee out of door.
  • The Author to Her Book

• What to my Saviour shall I give
  Who freely hath done this for me?
  I'll serve him here whilst I shall live
  And Loue him to Eternity
  • By Night when Others Soundly Slept

• A Spring returns, and they more youthful made;
  But Man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid.
  • Contemplations

• "Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on
  Nothing but Meditation?
  • The Flesh and the Spirit

• Such cold mean flowers the spring puts forth betime,
  Before the sun hath thoroughly heat the clime.
  • Of the Four Ages of Man

• Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire,
  Fly back and sing amidst this choir.
  • In Reference to her Children, 23 June 1659

• 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.
  • To my Dear and Loving Husband

• The principal might yield a greater sum,
  Yet handled ill, amounts but to this crumb;
  • To Her Father with Some Verses

Meditations Divine and Moral (1664)

• Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending.
  • 3

• Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.
  • 12

• 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.
  • 14

External links

• annebradstreet.com