The bull by nature hath his horns,
The horse his hoofs, to daunt their foes;
The light-foot hare the hunter scorns;
The lion's teeth his strength disclose.

The fish, by swimming, 'scapes the weel;
The bird, by flight, the fowler's net;
With wisdom man is armed as steel;
Poor women none of these can get.

What have they then? — fair Beauty's grace,
A two-edged sword, a trusty shield;
No force resists a lovely face,
Both fire and sword to Beauty yield.