THE BEARD

"Though yours be sorely lugged and torn
It does your Visage more adorn
Than if 'twere prun'd, and starch'd, and launder'd
And cut square by the Russian standard."
--"Hudibras," SAMUEL BUTLER.
"Now of beards there be such company
And fashions such a throng
That it is very hard to handle a beard
Tho' it be never so long.
"'Tis a pretty sight and a grave delight
That adorns both young and old
A well thatch't face is a comely grace
And a shelter from the cold"
--"Le Prince d'Amour," 1660.