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's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
Anne Bradstreet. "To My Dear and Loving Husband". November 1988. March 2008 <http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/Bradstreet/bradhyp.htm>.
Anne Bradstreet expresses her deep love and devotion to her husband in this poem through the use of symbolism, inversion, and repetition in order to say how she loves her husband more than any earthly possession and will live with him forever after death.
Dear Diary,If only God would be kind enough to bless me with someone as loyal and loving as this. One of my companions showed me this poem today while
we were resting after scouting in the woods for food. Such devotion! However, I must remember that if God wills it I will find someone and start a family. We did manage to bring back a deer that we had killed. There is no reason for us to fear for there is an abundance of food available here in this new world. I have already considered writing to my friends and relatives and asking them to come to our small settlement. It's rather peacefull out here, except for the occasional attack by the Natives. I don't think I'll ever undertand the way they live or why they continue to attack us. In the end God's will shall prevail and we will conquer this land in His name!
God's peace be with you,
Matthew
