If Hercules tall stature might bee guest <br />But by his thumbe, wherby to make the rest <br />In due proportion; the best rule that I <br />Would choose to measure Venus' beauty by <br />Should bee her legg and foot. If husbandmen <br />Measure theyr timber by the foot, why then <br />Not we our wives? Whether wee goe or stride <br />Those native compasses are seldome wide <br />Of telling true: the round and slender foot <br />Is a sure index, and a secrett note <br />Of hidden parts; and well this way may lead <br />Unto the closett of a maydenheade: <br />Here, Emblemes of our youth, we roses tye, <br />And here the garter, love's deare mystery: <br />For want of beauty here the peacock's pride <br />Letts fall her trayne, and fearing to bee spide <br />Shutts upp her paynted witnesses to lett <br />Those eyes from view which are but counterfett. <br />Who looks not if this part be good or evill <br />May meet with cloven feet and match the divell, <br />For this doth make the difference betweene <br />The more unhallowed creatures and the cleane, <br />Well may you judge her other stepps are lighte, <br />Her thoughts awry that doth not tread aright: <br />But then there's true perfection when wee see <br />Those parts more absolute that hidden bee: <br />Nature nere layd a fayre foundation <br />For an unworthy frame to rest upon. <br />Lett others view the topp and limbes throughout, <br />The deeper knowledge is to know the roote: <br />And reading of the face the weakest know, <br />What beauty is; the learned looke below; <br />Who, looking there, doe all the rest, descrie <br />As in a poole the moon we use to spie: <br /> Pardon (sweetehart) the pride of my desire <br /> If but to kisse your toe it should aspire.<br /><br />William Strode<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-a-good-legg-and-foot/
