A Dialogue between Old England and New

By Anne Bradstreet

Dialogue Poem
New England. Alas, dear mother, fairest queen and best, With honour, wealth, and peace happy and blest, What ails thee hang thy head, and cross thine arms, And sit i' the dust to sigh these sad alarms? What deluge of new woes thus overflows The glories of thy ever-conquering brows? What means this wailing tone, this mournful guise? Ah, tell thy daughter; she may sympathize. Old England. Art ignorant indeed of these my woes, Or must my forced tongue these griefs disclose, And must myself dissect my tatter'd state, Which, mazed in error, now lies desolate? But now, alas! I must bewail my fate. Must I thus leave thee, New England, no more mate? O, could I but my griefs lament, and rest, Until my soul depart and fly to Heaven blest! 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, full of much excess, My house of flesh, and that you left behind, Heirs unto my virtues, not my state confined. So fare it now; and so I end my lay. But pray for me, O England, at the judgment day.
Written: 1642-01-01

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Poem Details

Date Written: 1642-01-01
Date Published: 1678-05-01
Language: English
Keywords: England, America, New World, Dialogue, Lament
Source: The Works of Anne Bradstreet
Publisher: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
A dialogue between Old England and New England, reflecting on the struggles and hopes of the two nations. It touches on themes of colonialism, identity, and the relationship between the Old World and the New.

Understanding Dialogue in Poetry

Dialogue in poetry is a literary form where the conversation between two or more characters is central to the narrative. This form allows poets to explore multiple perspectives, create tension, and convey emotions through the spoken words of the characters.

Poetic dialogue can range from simple exchanges to complex conversations, and is often used to reveal character, develop the plot, or explore thematic elements. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Character Interaction: Dialogue poetry focuses on the interaction between characters, with each line of dialogue revealing more about their personalities, relationships, and motivations.
  • Multiple Voices: The poem typically features two or more voices, each contributing to the conversation and advancing the narrative through their spoken words.
  • Exploration of Themes: Through dialogue, poets can explore complex themes such as conflict, love, power dynamics, and social issues, often presenting contrasting viewpoints.
  • Dynamic and Engaging: The conversational nature of dialogue makes the poem dynamic and engaging, as readers are drawn into the unfolding interaction between characters.

Dialogue in poetry brings the art of conversation to the forefront, offering a unique way to explore human interaction and express complex emotions through the voices of multiple characters.