"To My Dear and Loving Husband"

by Anne Bradstreet 

Webtext prepared by Ann Woodlief
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.

General Ways to Approach Bradstreet's Poetry

Read also "A Letter to Her Husband, Absent Upon Public Employment"  and "The Prologue"and "The Author to Her Book"(with study materials) 

Other poems by Bradstreet for comparison 

After reading the poem carefully, considering the notes, questions, biography, and other Web materials,  write on the second reading response questions.