Stanron: certainly not as old as "centuries ago". As I wrote, it used to be implicit to the particular genre, often indicated by the title. Also, the rhythmic interpretation was often, and sometimes still is, left to the taste of the players or listeners.

Modern scholars are trained to ask the question "How did the composer intend it to be played?" If they could actually interview a composer of Shakespeare's time, the answer might well be "As you like it!"