Richard Lovelace

Richard Lovelace (1618 - 1657) English poet and nobleman. He was imprisoned briefly in 1642 for supporting the Royalists[?] during the time of Oliver Cromwell. While in prison, Lovelace wrote the words for which he is perhaps most famous:

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.

from "To Althea. From Prison".

External Link

• the e-texts of Richard Lovelace's The Lucasta Poems (http://www.abacci.com/books/book.asp?bookID=1217)