Who wrote A-woman-a-dog-and-a-walnut-tree-the-more-you-beat-them-the-better-they-be?

The phrase "A woman, a dog, and a walnut tree; the more you beat them, the better they be" is often attributed to various sources, but it is most commonly linked to the English playwright and poet, John Fletcher. However, it is important to note that this saying is considered misogynistic and reflects outdated attitudes toward women. The phrase has appeared in various forms in literature and popular culture over the years, but its precise origin remains unclear.