ANNE BRADSTREET PROLOGUE

Anne Bradstreet (ca. 1612-1672)

Prologue


1To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings,
2Of Cities founded, Common-wealths begun,
3For my mean Pen are too superior things;
4Or how they all, or each their dates have run,
5Let Poets and Historians set these forth.
6My obscure lines shall not so dim their worth.


7But when my wond'ring eyes and envious heart
8Great Bartas' sugar'd lines do but read o'er,
9Fool, I do grudge the Muses did not part
10'Twixt him and me that over-fluent store.
11A Bartas can do what a Bartas will
12But simple I according to my skill.


13From School-boy's tongue no Rhet'ric we expect,
14Nor yet a sweet Consort from broken str...