Question

Explain the meaning of lines 17-18 in Bradstreet’s “Upon the Burning of Our House.”

That laid my goods now in the dust: 15
Yea so it was, and so 'twas just. 16
It was his own: it was not mine; 17
Far be it that I should repine. 18
He might of all justly bereft, 19
But yet sufficient for us left. 20

Answer 1

It was his own: it was not mine; 17

Step-by-step explanation:

The poem reflects how she repented towards God for help when she woke up on the sounds of Fire. In the verse above, she states meant that everything that she had was given by her God and nothing she had belonged to her. so whatever the fire took away was was taken away for good.

Far be it that i should repine. 18

Step-by-step explanation:

In this line the poet tries to say that whatever that has been taken from her she has nothing to complain about it. she has a strong faith and believes that whatever she had belonged to her God and what if everything has been taken away, he might bestow her with something better off.