The Lie

"The Lie" is a political and social criticism poem probably written by Sir Walter Ralegh. Speaking in the imperative mood throughout, he commands his soul to go "upon a thankless errand" and tell various people and organizations of their misdeeds and wrongdoings. And if they object, Ralegh commands, publicly accuse them to be lying, or "give them the lie." To "give the lie" was a common phrase in Ralegh's time of writing.

ynopsis

The poem is written in 13 stanzas comprised of an "ababcc" rhyme scheme. Ralegh begins with an energetic determination to expose the truth, especially in the socially elite, although he knows his doing so will not be well-received.:Go, Soul, the body's guest,
:Upon a thankless errand;
:Fear not to touch the best;
:The truth shall be thy warrant:
From there the poem moves quickly through a variety of scenes and situations of falsehood and corruption, all of which Ralegh condemns. The second and third stanzas declare accuse the court of being arrogant and yet wholly rotten, the church of being inactive and apathetic despite its teachings, and accusing those in government of favoritism and greed, respecting only those in large numbers.

History and authorship

Published after Ralegh's death, scholars are not certain that Ralegh is the true author of the poem, though he remains the most likely candidate. This is one of Ralegh's most anthologized poems.

References

* [http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/raleghthe_lie_and_guiana.htm http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/raleghthe_lie_and_guiana.htm]