| Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921. |
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| Richard Lovelace |
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50. To Althea
From Prison |
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| WHEN Love with unconfined wings | |
| Hovers within my Gates; | |
| And my divine Althea brings | |
| To whisper at the Grates: | |
| When I lye tangled in her haire, | 5 |
| And fetterd to her eye; | |
| The Gods, that wanton in the Aire, | |
| Know no such Liberty. | |
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| When flowing Cups run swiftly round | |
| With no allaying Thames, | 10 |
| Our carelesse heads with Roses bound, | |
| Our hearts with Loyall Flames; | |
| When thirsty griefe in Wine we steepe, | |
| When Healths and draughts go free, | |
| Fishes that tipple in the Deepe, | 15 |
| Know no such Libertie. | |
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| When (like committed Linnets) I | |
| With shriller throat shall sing | |
| The sweetnes, Mercy, Majesty, | |
| And glories of my KING; | 20 |
| When I shall voyce aloud, how Good | |
| He is, how Great should be; | |
| Inlarged Winds that curle the Flood, | |
| Know no such Liberty. | |
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| Stone Walls doe not a Prison make, | 25 |
| Nor I'ron bars a Cage; | |
| Mindes innocent and quiet take | |
| That for an Hermitage; | |
| If I have freedome in my Love, | |
| And in my soule am free; | 30 |
| Angels alone that sore above, | |
| Injoy such Liberty. | |
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