ANNE BRADSTREET

 "VERSES UPON THE BURNING OF OUR HOUSE, JULY 18TH, 1666"

NOTES


12   The flame consume my dwelling place.
13   And when I could no longer look,
14   I blest his grace that gave and took,

"gave and took."  "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1: 21).  Like Job, Bradstreet wants to bear the problems of life without losing faith.  The Puritans were constantly finding typological links between themselves and Biblical characters.
34   Nor bridegroom's voice ere heard shall bee.
35   In silence ever shalt thou lie.
36   Adieu, Adieu, All's Vanity.
"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2).
41   Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
42   That dunghill mists away may fly.
43   Thou hast a house on high erect
44   Fram'd by that mighty Architect,
45   With glory richly furnished
46   Stands permanent, though this be fled.
"House on high" - "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2-3).  She sees her true treasure as being in heaven.
51   There's wealth enough; I need no more.
52   Farewell, my pelf; farewell, my store.
53   The world no longer let me love;
54   My hope and Treasure lies above.
pelf: wealth.  Her real treasure is in heaven.  The sentiment is similar to that which we saw in "The Flesh and the Spirit."