Sir Walter Raleigh on the hypocrisy of our times: "The Soul's Errand" (a poem)

The Soul’s Errand

By Sir Walter Raleigh

(Written by the English soldier and statesman, 1554?–1618, just before his execution)

GO, Soul, the body’s guest,   Upon a thankless errand; Fear not to touch the best;   The truth shall be thy warrant:     Go, since I needs must die,         5     And give them all the lie. Go tell the Court it glows   And shines like rotten wood; Go tell the Church it shows   What’s good, but does no good:         10     If Court and Church reply     Give Court and Church the lie. Tell Potentates they live   Acting, but oh! their actions; Not loved, unless they give,         15   Nor strong but by their factions:     If Potentates reply,     Give Potentates the lie. Tell men of high condition,   That rule affairs of state,         20 Their purpose is ambition;   Their practice only hate:     And if they do reply,     Then give them all the lie.… Tell Physic of her boldness;         25   Tell Skill it is pretension; Tell Charity of coldness;   Tell Law it is contention:     And if they yield reply,     Then give them all the lie.…         30 So when thou hast, as I   Commanded thee, done blabbing; Although to give the lie   Deserves no less than stabbing:     Yet stab at thee who will,         35     No stab the Soul can kill.