To Althea, from Prison

    When Love with unconfinéd wings

    Hovers¹ within my gates，

    And my divine Althea brings

    To whisper at the grates；

    When I lie tangled² in her hair

    And fettered³ to her eye，

    The birds that wanton in the air

    Know no such liberty.

    When flowing cups run swiftly round，

    With no allaying⁴ Thames，

    Our careless heads with roses bound，

    Our hearts with loyal flames；

    When thirsty grief in wine we steep，

    When healths and draughts⁵ go free，

    Fishes， that tipple⁶ in the deep，

    Know no such liberty.

    When， like committed linnets， I

    With shriller throat shall sing

    The sweetness， mercy， majesty⁷，

    And glories of my King；

    When I shall voice aloud how good

    He is， how great should be，

    Enlargéd 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.