Richard Lovelace (1618-1657)

Imprisoned briefly in 1648 for supporting the Royalists during the time of Oliver Cromwell.

"To Lucasta, on Going to the Warres"

I.
Tell me not (Sweet) I am unkinde,
    That from the Nunnerie
Of thy chaste breast, and quiet minde,
     To Warre and Armes I flie.

II.
True; a new Mistresse now I chase,
     The first Foe in the Field;
And with a stronger Faith imbrace
     A Sword, a Horse, a Shield.

III.
Yet this Inconstancy is such,
     As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee (Deare) so much,
     Lov'd I not Honour more.


"To Althea, from Prison"

I.
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
     And fettered to her eye;
The Gods that wanton in the Aire,
     Know no such Liberty.

II.
When flowing Cups run swiftly round
     With no allaying Thames,
Our careless 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,
     Know no such Libertie.

III.
When (like committed linnets) I
     With shriller throat shal lsing
The sweetness, Mercy, Majesty,
      And glories of my King,
When I shall voyce aloud, how Good
      He is, how Great should be;
Enlarged Winds that curle the Flood,
      Know no such Liberty.

IV.
Stone Walls do not a Prison make,
       Nor Iron 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;
Angels alone that sore above,
        Injoy such Liberty.