Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/422

I then believ'd not, now I feel and see,
The plague of stubborn incredulity^[1]
Some lost their livings, some in prison pent.
Some fin'd, from house &^[2] friends to exile went.
[197] Their silent tongues to heaven did vengeance cry,
Who saw their wrongs, & hath judg'd righteously^[3]
And will repay it seven-fold in my lap:
This is fore-runner of my Afterclap.
Nor took I warning by my neighbours falls,
I saw sad Germanyes dismantled walls,
I saw her people famish'd. Nobles slain.
Her fruitfull land, a barren Heath remain.
I saw unmov'd, her Armyes foil'd and fled.
VVives forced, babes toss'd, her houses calcined.
I saw strong Rochel yielded^[4] to her Foe,
Thousands of starved Christians there also.
I saw poor Ireland bleeding out her last.
Such crueltyes^[5] as all reports have past;^[6]
Mine heart obdurate stood not yet agast.

1. Instead of this and the preceding line, the first edition has,—
   These Prophets mouthes (alas the while) was stopt.
   Unworthily, some backs whipt, and eares cropt;
   Their reverent cheeks did beare the glorious markes
   Of stinking, stigmatizing, Romish Clerkes;
   
   

   referring probably to the persecutions of Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton. Prynne himself says of the letters " S. L." branded on his cheeks, —

   "Bearing Lavd's Stamps on my cheeks, I retire,
   Triumphing, God's sweet Sacrifice, by Fire."
   
   
2. Some groffely fin'd, from.
3. Who heard their cause, and wrongs judg'd righteously,
4. yielding.
5. cruelty.
6. See page 164 and note.