"
JEAN INGELOW.
THE LYE.
"The Lye," by Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618), is one of the strongest
and most appealing poems a teacher can read to her pupils when teaching
early American history. The poem is full of magnificent lines, such as
"Go, soul, the body's guest." The poem never lacks an attentive
audience of young people when correlated with the study of North
Carolina and Sir Walter Raleigh. The solitary, majestic character of
Sir Walter Raleigh, his intrepidity while undergoing tortures inflicted
by a cowardly king, the ring of indignation--- all these make a weapon
for him stronger than the ax that beheaded him. In this poem he "has
the last word."
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.
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