To Althea From Prison

When love, with unconfined wings, hovers within my gates And my divine ALTHEA brings to whisper at my grates When I lie tangled in her hair and fettered with her eye Birds that wanton in the air know no such liberty When flowing cups run swiftly round with no allaying THAMES Our careless heads with roses crowned, our hearts with royal flames When first decreeth in wine we steep when healths and rafts run free Fishes that tipple in the deep know no such liberty Stone walls do not a prison make not iron bars a gate Minds innocent and quiet take that as a hermitage If I have freedom in my love and in my soul am free Angels alone that soar above enjoy such liberty --- To Althea from Prison - Fairport Convention