In the third stanza, Bradstreet openly criticizes her work, "My foolish, broken, blemished Muse so sings; / All this to mend, alas, no art is able, / "Cause nature made it so irreparable" (16-18). ... In the next stanza, Bradstreet boldly states her work will never be perfect. The line, "Art can do much, but this maxim's most sure: / A weak or wounded brain admits no cure" (23-24) says the problems she has with her writings are not something you can fix easily if at all. ...

• Word Count: 800
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School