To Althea from Prison

Richard Lovelace (1618–1658)

WHEN Love with unconfinèd wings

Hovers within my gates,

And by divine Althea brings

To whisper at my grates;

When I lie tangled in her hair

And fettered with her eye,

The birds that wanton in the air

Know no such liberty.

When flowing cups pass swiftly round

With no allaying Thames,

Our careless heads with roses crowned,

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 mercy, sweetness, 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 an hermitage:

If I have freedom in my love,

And in my soul am free,

Angels alone, that soar above,

Enjoy such liberty.