Date: May 25, 1676

"I'th' worst of Prisons I'll my Body bind, / Rather than Chain my free-born mind, / For such a foolish Toy."

— Shadwell, Thomas (1642-1692)

Date: 1696

"I told you, Sir, I shou'd appear a Riddle to you: But if my Heart will give me leave, I'le now unloose your fetter'd Apprehension."

— Cibber, Colley (1671-1757)

Date: 1703

"Force, and the Wills of our Imperious Rulers, / May bind two Bodies in one wretched Chain; / But Minds will still look back to their own Choice. / So the poor Captive in a Foreign Realm, / Stands on the Shoar, and sends his Wishes back / To the dear Native Land from whence he came."

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)

Date: November 25, 1707; 1708

"In Honour's Name remember what you are, / Break from the Bondage of this feeble Passion, / And urge your way to Glory."

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)

Date: November 25, 1707; 1708

"I feel my Soul impatient of its Bondage, / Disdaining this unworthy, idle Passion, / And strugling to be free."

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)

Date: 1714

"Well then, I own my Heart has broke your Chains. / Patient I bore the painful Bondage long, / At length my generous Love disdains your Tyranny."

— Rowe, Nicholas (1674-1718)

Date: January 16, 1719

"No, Madam, I say, not that I mean to use my Power, I tell you only what it is, my Heart has broke your Chain, I claim no Right over you."

— Johnson, Charles (1679?-1748)

Date: April 17, 1795

"At Hymen's altar claim the chain / That twines two willing hearts in one!"

— Jerningham, Edward (1727-1812)