LIBERAL Nature did dispence <br />To all things Arms for their defence; <br />And some she arms with sin'ewy force, <br />And some with swiftness in the course; <br />Some with hard Hoofs, or forked claws, <br />And some with Horns, or tusked jaws. <br />And some with Scales, and some with Wings, <br />And some with Teeth, and some with Stings. <br />Wisdom to Man she did afford, <br />Wisdom for Shield, and Wit for Sword. <br />What to beauteous Woman-kind, <br />What Arms, what Armour has she'assigne'd? <br />Beauty is both; for with the Faire <br />What Arms, what Armour can compare? <br />What Steel, what Gold, or Diamond, <br />More Impassible is found? <br />And yet what Flame, what Lightning ere <br />So great an Active force did bear? <br />They are all weapon, and they dart <br />Like Porcupines from every part. <br />Who can, alas, their strength express, <br />Arm'd when they themselves undress, <br />Cap a pe* with Nakedness?<br /><br />Abraham Cowley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beauty-234/
