<p>How Anne Bradstreet's poem, "Prologue" teaches contemporary audiences how to effectively communicate, and how Bradstreet successfully utilizes surface text and subtext. </p>
<p>"Prologue"</p>
<p>To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings,</p>
<p>Of Cities founded, Common-wealths begun,</p>
<p>For my mean Pen are too superior things;</p>
<p>Or how they all, or each their dates have run,</p>
<p>Let Poets and Historians set these forth.</p>
<p>My obscure lines shall not so dim their worth.</p>
<p>But when my wond’ring eyes and envious heart</p>
<p>Great Bartas’ sugar’d lines do but read o’er,</p>
<p>Fool, I do grudge the Muses did not part</p>
<p>‘Twixt him and me that over-fluent store.</p>
<p>A Bartas can do what a Bartas will</p>
<p>But simple I according to my skill.</p>
<p>From School-boy’s tongue no Rhet’ric we expect,</p>
<p>Nor yet a sweet Consort from broken strings,</p>
<p>Nor perfect beauty where’s a main defect.</p>
<p>My foolish, broken, blemished Muse so sings,</p>
<p>And this to mend, alas, no Art is able,</p>
<p>‘Cause Nature made it so irreparable.</p>
<p>Nor can I, like that fluent sweet-tongued Greek</p>
<p>Who lisp’d at first, in future times speak plain.</p>
<p>By Art he gladly found what he did seek,</p>
<p>A full requital of his striving pain.</p>
<p>Art can do much, but this maxim’s most sure:</p>
<p>A weak or wounded brain admits no cure.</p>
<p>I am obnoxious to each carping tongue</p>
<p>Who says my hand a needle better fits.</p>
<p>A Poet’s Pen all scorn I should thus wrong,</p>
<p>For such despite they cast on female wits.</p>
<p>If what I do prove well, it won’t advance,</p>
<p>They’ll say it’s stol’n, or else it was by chance.</p>
<p>But sure the antique Greeks were far more mild,</p>
<p>Else of our Sex, why feigned they those nine</p>
<p>And poesy made Calliope’s own child?</p>
<p>So ‘mongst the rest they placed the Arts divine,</p>
<p>But this weak knot they will full soon untie.</p>
<p>The Greeks did nought but play the fools and lie.</p>
<p>Let Greeks be Greeks, and Women what they are.</p>
<p>Men have precedency and still excel;</p>
<p>It is but vain unjustly to wage war.</p>
<p>Men can do best, and Women know it well.</p>
<p>Preeminence in all and each is yours;</p>
<p>Yet grant some small acknowledgement of ours.</p>
<p>And oh ye high flown quills that soar the skies,</p>
<p>And ever with your prey still catch your praise,</p>
<p>If e’er you deign these lowly lines your eyes,</p>
<p>Give thyme or Parsley wreath, I ask no Bays.</p>
<p>This mean and unrefined ore of mine</p>
<p>Will make your glist’ring gold but more to shine.</p>
