Athenæ Oxonienses. The History of Oxford Writers. Vol. 2, p. 146

Richard Lovelace

the eldest son of Sir Will. Lovelace of Woollidg in Kent Knight, was born in that County, educated in Grammar learning in Charter house school near London, became a Gent. Commoner of Glocester Hall in the beginning of the year 1634, and in that of his age 16, being then accounted the most amiable and beautiful person that ever eye beheld, a person also of innate modesty, virtue and courtly deportment, which made him then, but especially after, when he retired to the great City, much admired and adored by the female sex. In 1636 when the King and Queen were for some days entertained at Oxon, he was, at the request of a great Lady belonging to the Queen, made to the Archb. of Cant. then Chancellor of the University, actually created, among other persons of quality, Master of Arts, tho but of about two years standing; at which time his Conversation being made publick, and consequently his ingenuity and generous soul discovered, he became as much admired by the male, as before by the female, sex. After he had left the University he retired in great splendor to the Court, and being taken into the favour of George Lord Goring, afterwards Earl of Norwich, was by him adopted a Soldier, and sent in the quality of Ensign in the Scotch Expedition an. 1639. Afterwards, in the second Expedition, he was commissionated a Captain in the same Regiment, and in that time wrot a Tragedy called The Soldier, but never acted, because the stage was soon after suppress’d. After the Pacification at Berwick, he retired to his native Country, and took possession of his Estate at Lovelace place in the Parish of Bethersden, at Canterbury, Chart, Halden, &c. worth at least 500 l. per an. About which time he was made choice of by the whole body of the County of Kent at an Assize, to deliver the Kentish Petition to the H. of Commons, for the restoring the King to his Rights and for setling the Government, &c. For which piece of service he was committed to the Gatehouse at Westminster, where he made that celebrated song called Stone walls do not a prison make, &c. After 3 or 4 months prisonment, he had his liberty upon bayle of 40000 l. not to stir out of the Lines of Communication, without a Pass from the Speaker. During this time of confinement to London, he lived beyond the income of his Estate, either to keep up the credit and reputation of the Kings Cause by furnishing men with Horse and Arms, or by relieving ingenious men in want, whether Scholars, Musitians, Soldiers, &c. Also by furnishing his two Brothers Colonel Franc. Lovelace and Capt. Will. Lovelace (afterwards slain at Caermarthen) with men and money for the Kings Cause, and his other brother called Dudley Posthumus Lovelace with moneys for his maintenance in Holland to study Tacticks and Fortification in that school of War. After the rendition of Oxford Garrison, in 1646, he formed a Regiment for the Service of the French King, was Colonel of it, and wounded at Dunkirk, and in 1648 returning into England, he, with Dud. Posthumus before mention’d, then a Captain under him, were both committed Prisoners to Peterhouse in London, where he fram’d his Poems for the Press, intit.

Lucasta: Epodes, Odes, Sonnets, Songs, &c. Lond. 1649. oct. The reason why he gave that title was, because, some time before, he had made his amours to a Gentlewoman of great beauty and fortune named Lucy Sacheverel, whom he usually called Lux casta; but she upon a strong report that Lovelace was dead of his wound received at Dunkirk, soon after married. He also wrot,

Aramantha: A pastoral—printed with Lucasta. Afterwards a musical Composition of two parts was set to part of it by Hen. Lawes sometimes Servant to K. Ch. 1. in his publick and private Musick. After the Murther of K. Ch. 1. Lovelace was set at liberty, and having by time consumed all his Estate, grew very melancholy, (which brought him at length into a Consumption) became very poor in body and purse, was the object of charity, went in ragged Cloaths (whereas when he was in his glory he wore Cloth of gold and silver) and mostly lodged in obscure and dirty places, more befitting the worst of Beggars, than poorest of Servants, &c. After his death, his Brother Dudley before mention’d made a collection of his poetical papers, fitted them for the Press, and intituled them,

Lucasta: Posthume Poems. Lond. 1659. oct. the second part, with his Picture before them. These are all the things that he hath extant: those that were never published, were his Trag. called The Soldier or Soldiers, before mention’d, and his Com. called The Scholar, which he composed at 16 years of age, when he came first to Gloc. Hall, acted with applause afterwards in Salisbury Court. He died in a very mean Lodging in Gun-powder Alley near Shoe lane, and was buried at the west end of the Church of S. Bride alias Bridget in London, near to the body of his Kinsman Will. Lovelace of Greys Inn Esq. in sixteen hundred fifty and eight, having before been accounted by all those that well knew him,1658. to have been a person well vers’d in the Greek and Lat. Poets, in Musick, whether practical or theoretical, instrumental or vocal, and in other things befitting a Gentleman. Some of the said persons have also added in my hearing, that his common discourse was not only significant and witty, but incomparably graceful, which drew respect from all Men and Women. Many other things I could now say of him, relating either to his most generous mind in his Prosperity, or dejected estate in his worst part of Poverty, but for brevity sake I shall now pass them by. At the end of his Posthume Poems are several Elegies written on him by eminent Poets of that time, wherein you may see his just character.