The following excerpt is from a poem by Anne Bradstreet, published in 1650. Bradstreet, who lived in Massachusetts at the time she wrote the poem, was worried about a civil war in her old country (England). This war was fought mainly over England's governance and issues of religious freedom. The poem is a dialogue between New England and Old England. New England represents new ideas and beliefs held in England, while Old England represents the traditional beliefs held by the country. Read the excerpt and answer the question that follows.
Old England.
(…)
But now I come to speak of my disaster.
Contention's grown 'twixt Subjects and their Master,
They worded it so long they fell to blows,
That thousands lay on heaps. Here bleeds my woes.
I that no wars so many years have known
Am now destroy'd and slaughter'd by mine own.
But could the field alone this strife decide,
One battle, two, or three I might abide,
But these may be beginnings of more woe—
Who knows, the worst, the best may overthrow!
Religion, Gospel, here lies at the stake,
Pray now, dear child, for sacred Zion's sake,
Oh, pity me in this sad perturbation,
My plundered Towns, my houses' devastation,
(…)
New England.
Dear mother, cease complaints, and wipe your eyes,
Shake off your dust, cheer up, and now arise.
You are my mother, nurse, I once your flesh,
Your sunken bowels gladly would refresh.
Your griefs I pity much but should do wrong,
To weep for that we both have pray'd for long,
To see these latter days of hop'd-for good,
That Right may have its right, though 't be with blood.
After dark Popery the day did clear;
But now the Sun in's brightness shall appear.
Blest be the Nobles of thy Noble Land
With (ventur'd lives) for truth's defence that stand.
Blest be thy Commons, who for Common good
And thy infringed Laws have boldly stood.
Blest be thy Counties, who do aid thee still
With hearts and states to testify their will.
Blest be thy Preachers, who do cheer thee on.
Oh, cry: the sword of God and Gideon!
(…)
Based on the poem's content, what can you infer about Bradstreet's thoughts on Old England?
While she enjoys her life in New England, she regrets leaving Old England behind.
Bradstreet has respect for traditional and old ways of England, but she feels she should look to a brighter future and leave her woes in the past.
Old England focused on common laws for the common good, but laws in New England are a disaster.
There is little hope for New England because they left the best parts behind in Old England.
