TO ALTHEA, FROM PRISON

by: Richard Lovelace (1618-1658)

HEN love with unconfinèd wings

Hovers within my gates,

And my divine Althea brings

To whisper at the grates;

When I lie tangled in her hair,

And fetter'd to her eye,

The birds that wanton in the air

Know no such liberty.

 

When flowing cups run swiftly round,

With no allaying Thames,

Our careless heads with roses bound,

Our hearts with loyal flames;

When thirsty grief in wine we steep,

When healths and draughts go free--

Fishes that tipple in the deep

Know no such liberty.

 

When, like committed linnets, I

With shriller throat shall sing

The sweetness, mercy, majesty,

And glories of my King:

When I shall voice aloud how good

He is, how great should be--

Enlargèd winds that curl the flood

Know no such liberty.

 

Stone walls do not a prison make,

Nor iron bars a cage;

Minds innocent and quiet take

That for a hermitage:

If I have freedom in my love,

And in my soul am free--

Angels alone that soar above

Enjoy such liberty.

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