Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 10th, 1666
In the silent night when I took rest,
For sorrow near, I did not look,
I was awakened by thunderous noise,
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,”
Let no man know my desire.
I, starting up, saw the light,
And to my God, my heart did cry.
To straighten me in my distress,
And not to leave me succourless.
Then, coming out, I saw a space,
The flame consumed my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blessed His name, that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so ’twas just.
It was His own, it was not mine,
Far be it that I should repine;
He might have been all justly bereft,
But yet sufficient for us left.
When I oft passed by the ruins,
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast,
And here and there the places I spy,
Where oft I sat and long did lie.
Here stood that trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best.
My pleasant things lie in ashes,
And to behold them no more shall I.
Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall ’ere be told,
Nor things recounted of old.
No candle e’er shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom’s voice e’er shall be heard.
In silence ever shalt thou lie,
Adieu, adieu, all’s vanity.
Then straight I began my heart to chide,
And did thy wealth on earth abide?
Didst fix thy hope on moulding dust?
Did the arm of flesh make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky,
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a house on high erected,
Framed by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished,
Stands permanent, though this be fled.
It’s purchased and paid for too,
By Him who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown,
Yet by His gift it is made thine own;
There’s wealth enough; I need no more,
Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love,
My hope and treasure lie above.
Summary of Verses upon the Burning of Our House
- Understanding “Verses upon the Burning of Our House”: This deeply personal poem by Anne Bradstreet recounts the devastating fire that consumed her home. It explores loss, faith, and the speaker’s eventual acceptance of God’s will. Bradstreet unravels her emotional journey, moving from initial shock and sorrow to a resolute embrace of spiritual solace.
- The Poem as a Reflection of Loss and Acceptance: The poem unfolds as a narrative of escalating emotions. The speaker is abruptly awakened by the terrifying sounds of fire, witnesses the destruction of her home, and then grapples with the loss of cherished possessions. Its strength lies in the shift toward acceptance. Bradstreet does not wallow in despair; instead, she recognizes that earthly possessions are transient and that true wealth lies in her faith and the promise of eternal life. The initial grief gives way to a profound understanding of divine providence.
- Key Themes in “Verses upon the Burning of Our House”: The central themes are faith, acceptance, and the transient nature of worldly possessions. Bradstreet portrays the struggle between earthly attachments and spiritual devotion. The fire serves as a catalyst for the speaker’s spiritual awakening, prompting a re‑evaluation of priorities and a trust in God. The poem illustrates that true security is found in unwavering faith, not material comfort.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “Verses upon the Burning of Our House”
Anne Bradstreet masterfully employs a range of literary devices to enhance the emotional resonance and thematic depth of the poem. These devices add richness to the text and provide deeper insights into the speaker’s internal struggles and ultimate triumph of faith.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates a musical quality and emphasizes certain emotions. For instance, the short “i” sound in “With glory richly furnished” subtly highlights the splendor of the heavenly home.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words adds emphasis and creates a memorable effect. An example is the succession of the “l” sound in “The world no longer let me love,” drawing attention to the speaker’s decision to renounce earthly desires.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words or at the end of words contributes to the poem’s sonic texture and underscores specific themes. For example, the repetition of the “t” sound in “Framed by that mighty Architect” reinforces the idea of divine craftsmanship.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next creates a sense of flow and momentum. This technique is used effectively in lines such as:
It’s purchased and paid for too
By Him who hath enough to do.The enjambment mirrors the continuous nature of faith and divine provision.
- Imagery: Bradstreet uses vivid imagery to evoke sensory experiences and engage the reader’s imagination. Examples include “The flame consumed my dwelling place,” which creates a powerful visual of the destructive fire, and “Under thy roof no guest shall sit,” which paints a picture of a desolate, uninhabited home.
- Rhetorical Question: The use of rhetorical questions, which are not meant to be answered, emphasizes the speaker’s internal struggle and provokes contemplation. The poem is filled with questions such as “And did thy wealth on earth abide?” designed to challenge the reader to examine their own attachment to material possessions.
- Symbolism: Several elements in the poem carry symbolic weight. The “house” itself symbolizes not only physical shelter but also earthly comfort, security, and attachment. “Fire” represents destruction, loss, and the transient nature of worldly possessions.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “Verses upon the Burning of Our House”
Beyond literary devices, Bradstreet skillfully employs poetic devices to shape the poem’s form, rhythm, and overall impact.
- End Rhyme: The consistent use of end rhyme, where words at the ends of lines rhyme, creates a musical quality and contributes to the poem’s memorability.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem adheres to a consistent AABB rhyme scheme throughout, creating a predictable and harmonious rhythm.
- Rhyming Couplet: The frequent use of rhyming couplets, two consecutive lines that rhyme, reinforces the poem’s rhythmic structure and emphasizes key ideas. There are twenty‑seven rhyming couplets throughout the poem.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from the poem are particularly resonant and suitable for speeches or reflections on faith and the blessings of God:
There’s wealth enough; I need no more,
Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love,
My hope and treasure lie above.
These lines beautifully encapsulate the poem’s central message: that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in an unwavering faith and the promise of eternal life. They serve as a powerful reminder to prioritize spiritual values over worldly attachments.