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 us persevere;
That when we die, may love live on.
Understanding the Heart of the Poem
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” is a deeply personal and passionate declaration of love written by Anne Bradstreet to her husband, Simon. It is not simply a sweet sentiment; it is a bold assertion of the unparalleled nature of their bond. Bradstreet invites other women to compare their marriages to hers, confident that none can match the depth of affection she shares with Simon. At its core, the poem explores the idea that true love is more valuable than any earthly treasure and possesses the power to transcend even death itself. This poem is remarkable not just for its emotion, but also for its confidence and directness, qualities uncommon in poetry of its time.
Central Ideas and Historical Context
The poem’s central idea revolves around the extraordinary nature of conjugal love and its potential for both earthly and eternal fulfillment. Bradstreet does not shy away from expressing intense emotion, setting her work apart from much of the more restrained poetry of the 17th century. It is important to remember the historical context. Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan woman living in colonial America, a society known for its strict religious and social norms. While Puritanism emphasized piety and humility, Bradstreet boldly expresses passionate love. This makes the poem all the more remarkable and offers a glimpse into the complexities of human emotion within a rigid societal framework. The poem also reflects the Puritan belief that earthly relationships can be a pathway to divine grace and eternal life.
In-Depth Analysis: Unpacking the Poetic Language
The Power of Repetition: Establishing Uniqueness
Bradstreet immediately establishes the extraordinary nature of her marriage through the strategic use of repetition. The opening lines—If ever—employ the phrase three times in quick succession. This is not merely rhetorical; it is a powerful assertion. Bradstreet isn’t asking if their love is unique; she states it as a certainty. The repeated phrase sets a high bar, suggesting that true unity, devoted love, and marital happiness are rare, and that she and her husband have achieved it. She then confidently invites comparison, further reinforcing the exceptional quality of their bond.
Love Beyond Material Wealth: A Hierarchy of Values
Bradstreet doesn’t just say love is valuable; she demonstrates it by contrasting it with material wealth. “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, / Or all the riches that the East doth hold.” This is not a simple preference; it is a clear hierarchy of values. Gold mines and the riches of the East represent immense wealth and power in the 17th century. By placing her husband’s love above these tangible treasures, Bradstreet elevates love to the highest possible status. This line speaks to a deeper truth: true happiness is not found in possessions, but in genuine connection and affection.
The River Metaphor: An Insatiable Thirst
The image of a river is central to understanding the intensity of Bradstreet’s love. “My love is such that rivers cannot quench.” A river is a powerful, constantly flowing force, yet Bradstreet’s love is so immense that it cannot be satisfied even by an endless supply of water. This metaphor goes beyond simple passion; it suggests an insatiable thirst for connection, a deep seeded longing that can only be quenched by her husband’s reciprocal love. The line “Nor ought but love from thee give recompense” further emphasizes this point; nothing else can repay or compensate for the love she receives. This highlights the completeness and fulfillment she finds in her relationship.
Seeking Divine Blessing: Earthly Love and Eternal Reward
Bradstreet’s Puritan beliefs are evident in her prayer for divine reward. “The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.” This is not just a pious wish; it reflects the Puritan belief that earthly devotion can earn divine favor. She does not view love as solely a worldly experience; it is something that has spiritual implications, potentially leading to eternal communion with God. By asking for her husband to be rewarded “manifold,” she suggests that his love is deserving of the greatest possible blessing.
Perseverance and Eternity: A Love That Transcends Death
The final couplet—“Then while we live, in love let us persevere; That when we die, may love live on”—is the culmination of the poem’s central theme: the power of love to transcend death. Bradstreet urges them to continue loving each other with unwavering devotion during their earthly lives, with the hope that their love will continue to “live on” in the afterlife. This speaks to the Puritan belief in eternal life and the idea that earthly relationships can be a foretaste of heavenly bliss. The word “persevere” emphasizes the importance of sustained effort and commitment in nurturing their love.
Poetic Devices at Play
Bradstreet masterfully employs various poetic devices to enhance the impact of her poem. The use of anaphora—the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses—in the opening lines creates rhythmic emphasis and reinforces the idea of uniqueness. Alliteration, such as the repetition of the “w” sound in “wife was happy,” adds a musical quality and strengthens the emotional tone. The poem also utilizes metaphor, most notably the river image, to convey the intensity and insatiable nature of love. Additionally, Bradstreet occasionally employs slant rhyme—also known as near rhyme—to create subtle echoes and connect ideas, contributing to the poem’s overall coherence.
Structure and Form
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that consists of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables per line. This creates a smooth, flowing rhythm that mimics the natural cadence of speech. The rhyme scheme is a simple AABBCCDD EEFF, consisting of rhyming couplets throughout the poem. This regular pattern contributes to the sense of harmony and stability, mirroring the harmonious and enduring nature of the marital bond being celebrated. The poem’s concise and tightly structured form reflects the depth and intensity of the emotion being expressed.
The Enduring Power of a Timeless Message
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” continues to resonate with readers today because it speaks to the universal human desire for love, connection, and enduring happiness. Bradstreet’s honest and passionate expression of affection, combined with her masterful use of poetic language, creates a work of lasting beauty and emotional power. The poem serves as a reminder that true love is more valuable than any material possession and has the potential to transcend even the boundaries of life and death. It is a testament to the enduring power of human connection and the transformative potential of love.