Leave these deluding tricks and shows, <br />Be honest and downright; <br />What Nature did to view expose, <br />Don't you keep out of sight. <br />The novice youth may chance admire <br />Your dressings, paints and spells; <br />But we that are expert desire <br />Your sex for somewhat else. <br /> <br />In your adored face and hair, <br />What virtue could you find, <br />If women were like angels fair, <br />And every man were blind? <br />You need no pains or time to waste <br />To set your beauties forth, <br />With oils, and paint, and drugs, that cost <br />More than the face is worth. <br /> <br />Nature her self, her own work does <br />And hates all needless arts, <br />And all your artificial shows <br />Disgrace your nat'ral parts. <br />You're flesh and blood and so are we, <br />Let flesh and blood alone, <br />To love all compounds hateful be: <br />Give me the pure, or none.<br /><br />Alexander Brome<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-a-painted-lady/
