XX. Could I but ride indefinite

COULD I but ride indefinite,
        As doth the meadow-bee,
And visit only where I liked,
        And no man visit me,

And flirt all day with buttercups,
        And marry whom I may,
And dwell a little everywhere,
        Or better, run away

With no police to follow,
        Or chase me if I do,
Till I should jump peninsulas
        To get away from you, --

I said, but just to be a bee
        Upon a raft of air,
And row in nowhere all day long,
        And anchor off the bar,--
What liberty! So captives deem
        Who tight in dungeons are.