Comet and Other Verses — Lines to Liars

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.