Page:Sir Walter Raleigh by Thoreau, Henry David,.djvu/126

 Tell men of high condition,

That rule affairs of state,

Their purpose is ambition;

Their practice only hate.

And if they do reply,

Then give them all the lie.

Tell those that brave it most,

They beg for more by spending;

Who in their greatest cost

Seek nothing but commending.

And if they make reply,

Spare not to give the lie.

Tell zeal 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 lie.

Tell age it daily wasteth;

Tell honor how it alters;

Tell beauty that it blasteth;

Tell favor that she falters:

And as they do reply,

Give every one the lie.

Tell wit how much it wrangles

In fickle points of niceness;

Tell wisdom she entangles

Herself in over-wiseness:

And if they do reply,

Then give them both the lie.