What vaileth truth? or, by it, to take pain? To strive by steadfastness for to attain? To be just and true, and flee from doubleness? Sithens all alike, where ruleth craftiness, Rewarded is both false and plain. Soonest he spedeth that most can fain; True meaning heart is had in disdain. Against deceit and doubleness, What vaileth truth? Deceived is he by crafty train That meaneth no guile, and doth remain Within the trap, without redress But for to love, lo, such a mistress, Whose cruelty nothing can refrain. What vaileth truth? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN IN PARADISE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS A LOVER'S QUARREL by ROBERT BROWNING THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 23 by THOMAS CAMPION AUF WIEDERSEHEN! SUMMER by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL SIBERIA by JAMES CLARENCE MANGAN SONNET: 9. TO A VIRTUOUS YOUNG LADY by JOHN MILTON |