Goe, soule, the bodie's guest,
  Upon a thanklesse arrant;
  Feare not to touche the best--
  The truth shall be thy warrant!
  Goe, since I needs must dye,
  And give the world the lye.

  Goe tell the court it glowes
  And shines like rotten wood;
  Goe tell the church it showes
  What's good, and doth no good;
  If church and court reply,
  Then give them both the lye.

  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.

  Tell fortune of her blindnesse;
  Tell nature of decay;
  Tell friendship of unkindnesse;
  Tell justice of delay;
  And if they dare reply,
  Then give them all the lye.

  Tell arts they have no soundnesse,
  But vary by esteeming;
  Tell schooles they want profoundnesse,
  And stand too much on seeming;
  If arts and schooles reply,
  Give arts and schooles the lye.

  So, when thou hast, as I
  Commanded thee, done blabbing--
  Although to give the lye
  Deserves no less than stabbing--
  Yet stab at thee who will,
  No stab the soule can kill.