Love and Beauty

Woman who is by nature wild
Dull bearded man encloses;
Of nature's freedom we're beguiled
By laws which man imposes,
Who still himself continues free;
Yet we poor slaves must fettered be.

A shame on the curse
Of 'for better, for worse'
Tis a vile imposition on nature.
For women should change
And have freedom to range
Like to every other wild creature.

So gay a thing was ne'er designed
To be restrained from roving;
Heaven meant so changeable a mind
Should have its change in loving.
By cunning we could make men smart
But they by strength o'ercome our art.

A shame on the curse
Of 'for better, for worse'
Tis a vile imposition on nature
For women should change
And have freedom to range
Like to every other wild creature.

How happy is the village maid
Whom only love can fetter
By foolish honour ne'er betrayed
She serves a power much greater,
That lawful prince the wisest rules,
Th'usurper honour rules but fools.

A shame on the curse
Of 'for better, for worse'
Tis a vile imposition on nature
For women should change
And have freedom to range
Like to every other wild creature.

let us resume our ancient right
Make man at distance wonder,
Though he victorious be in fight
In love we'll keep him under.
War and ambition hence be hurled,
Let love and beauty rule the world.

A shame on the curse
Of 'for better, for worse'
Tis a vile imposition on nature
For women should change
And have freedom to range
Like to every other wild creature.

Thomas Shadwell, The Libertine, 1675

I understand the modern woman is no longer fetter'd by man and man no longer bound by honour, yet when shall Love and Beauty's reign commence?