Lines to Liars

Let lawyers harp about the law,

And all its majesty and might;

They find in every case a flaw

And think they're right.

Let politicians praise the truth

And laud its virtue to the sky —

They practice from their very youth

To give the lie.

Let prophets send the saints to heaven

And damn poor sinners e'en to hell —

How such authority is given

They cannot tell.

Let doctors prate of human pain

Alleviated by their skill,

When Death's dull sickness comes, in vain

Is every pill.

Let poets pipe of bloody war

And claim its carnal method right;

They're only piping cowards, for

Not one will fight.

And so it seems we mortals boast

Of knowledge where we know the least

And show our ignorance the most

Like any beast.