Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | II. Freedom | | 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 | 5 |
| 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, | 10 |
| 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 | 15 |
| Know no such liberty. | |
| |
| When, like committed linnets, I | |
| With shriller throat shall sing | |
| The mercy, sweetness, majesty | |
| And glories of my King; | 20 |
| 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, | 25 |
| 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, | 30 |
| Angels alone, that soar above, | |
| Enjoy such liberty. | | | | |
|
|
