Richard Lovelace
Richard Lovelace (1618–1659) was an English poet and nobleman, born in Lovelace Place, Bethersden , Kent. He was one of the Cavalier poets, and a noted royalist. The "Lucasta" to whom he dedicated much of his verse was Lucy Sacheverell, whom he often called Lux Casta. Unfortunately, she mistakenly believed that he died at the Battle of Dunkirk in 1646 and so married another. He was imprisoned briefly in 1648 for supporting the Royalists during the time of Oliver Cromwell. During this period he spent his fortune to help supply Royalist forces, and died in penury shortly thereafter. His brother then published his poetry posthumously.
His most quoted excerpts are from the beginning of the last stanza of To Althea, From Prison:
- Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an hermitage
and the end of To Lucasta. Going to the Warres:
- I could not love thee, dear, so much,
Lov'd I not Honour more.
- The Lucasta Poems by Richard Lovelace – Project Gutenberg