Page:Poems that every child should know (ed. Burt, 1904).djvu/322

284 Tell potentates they live

Acting by others' actions—

Not loved unlesse they give,

Not strong but by their factions;

If potentates reply,

Give potentates the lye.

Tell men of high condition,

That rule affairs of state,

Their purpose is ambition,

Their practice only hate;

And if they once reply,

Then give them all the lye.

Tell zeale it lacks devotion;

Tell love it is but lust;

Tell time it is but motion;

Tell flesh it is but dust;

And wish them not reply,

For thou must give the lye.

Tell wit how much it wrangles

In tickle points of nicenesse;

Tell wisdome she entangles

Herselfe in over-wisenesse;

And if they do reply,

Straight give them both the lye.

Tell physicke of her boldnesse;

Tell skill it is pretension;

Tell charity of coldnesse;

Tell law it is contention;

And as they yield reply,

So give them still the lye.