Here foloweth a lytell treatyse of the beaute of women newly translated out of Frenshe in to Englyshe

Description

Here foloweth a lytell treatyse of the beaute of women newly translated out of…. is a short didactic poem translated from French into English, likely produced in the early 16th century. It belongs to courtesy and conduct literature, presenting ideals of feminine beauty alongside proper demeanor. The likely topic is the qualities—both physical and moral—that constitute exemplary womanly beauty, with a firm emphasis that beauty must be joined with virtue. The poem opens with an invocation to the Virgin Mary and a note that a gentleman requested the translation, then moves to celebrate and define women’s beauty while promising to follow the French original. It cites famous lovers to show beauty’s power (Troilus and Cressida, Paris and Helen, Achilles and Polyxena, Tristan and Isolde, Arthur and Florence), then lays out rules of modest comportment: a simple manner, pleasant and straightforward gaze, and measured, discreet speech. It enumerates “high” features (a fair high forehead, head well carried, and high, rounded breasts) and “low” behaviors (a gentle laugh, a modest, low regard, and a quiet sneeze), and lists favored traits such as arched brows, fine eyes, small slender hands, a dimpled chin, rosy lips and nails, and ruddy cheeks, together with light, hollow feet and a supple back. Refraining three times that “Beauty without goodness is worth nothing,” it concludes by urging every woman—maid, wife, widow, or damsel—to unite beauty with goodness to attain true grace. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Subjects

• Women -- Poetry
• Women -- Early works to 1800
• PQ