To Althea, from Prison
Richard Lovelace
1. When Love with unconfinéd wings
- “W” alliteration
2. Hovers within my Gates, (inside the prison)
- metaphor
- Although in prison, poet is freer than the birds that fly about at will
- His mind is free
- He can imagine his free love
3. And my drive Althea brings
4. To whisper at the gates; (bars)
- Brings his beloved Althea to whisper to him through the bars
5. When I lie tangled in her hair,
- “H” alliteration
- She is so close to him that becomes tangled in her hair
6. And fetter’d to her eye,
- Gaze indicates they are only inches apart
7. That Gods that wanton (fly freely & aimlessly) in the air,
8. Know no such liberty.
- Alliteration
- Then the playful birds in flight aren’t as free as he is
9. When flowing cups run swiftly round
- Fishes have whole ocean from which to drink
- Less free to drink than he is in prison
10. With no allaying Thames,
- Wine without water from River
- “Thames” to dilute it
11. Our careless heads with roses crown’d,
- His friends and him wear rosy wreaths
12. Our hearts with loyal flames; (support for the king)
- They toast to the king
13. When thirsty grief win Wine we steep,
- “W’ alliteration
- May mourn the loss of rights
14. When healths and draughts go free -
- Drinking of wine
15. Fishes that tipple in the deep
16. Know no such liberty.
Richard Lovelace
1. When Love with unconfinéd wings
- “W” alliteration
2. Hovers within my Gates, (inside the prison)
- metaphor
- Although in prison, poet is freer than the birds that fly about at will
- His mind is free
- He can imagine his free love
3. And my drive Althea brings
4. To whisper at the gates; (bars)
- Brings his beloved Althea to whisper to him through the bars
5. When I lie tangled in her hair,
- “H” alliteration
- She is so close to him that becomes tangled in her hair
6. And fetter’d to her eye,
- Gaze indicates they are only inches apart
7. That Gods that wanton (fly freely & aimlessly) in the air,
8. Know no such liberty.
- Alliteration
- Then the playful birds in flight aren’t as free as he is
9. When flowing cups run swiftly round
- Fishes have whole ocean from which to drink
- Less free to drink than he is in prison
10. With no allaying Thames,
- Wine without water from River
- “Thames” to dilute it
11. Our careless heads with roses crown’d,
- His friends and him wear rosy wreaths
12. Our hearts with loyal flames; (support for the king)
- They toast to the king
13. When thirsty grief win Wine we steep,
- “W’ alliteration
- May mourn the loss of rights
14. When healths and draughts go free -
- Drinking of wine
15. Fishes that tipple in the deep
16. Know no such liberty.
