a hard enough lesson

we took the lie for true and honest gold
not knowing how or when we were befooled
it was so easy then to be cajoled

the story was too swiftly made and told
the questioner too quickly overruled
we took the lie for true and honest gold

be brave the master told us and be bold
in such deep matters he had long been schooled
it was so easy then to be cajoled

no one thought then that we had been controlled
that the wise leaders were to be destooled
we took the lie for true and honest gold

now mercenary values are extolled
and all the peaceful systems are retooled
it was so easy then to be cajoled

before we knew it all the good was sold
and all our warmest virtues had been cooled
we took the lie for true and honest gold
it was so easy then to be cajoled