Published in 1678, To My Dear and Loving Husband is one of the most famous poems by Anne Bradstreet. Often regarded as the first published American poet, Anne Bradstreet’s poetry often reflected her life experiences as a wife and mother. In To My Dear and Loving Husband, the poet expresses deep love and affection between her and her 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’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.