Say to the Court, it glowes,
and shines like rotten wood;
Say to the Church, it shewes
whats good, and doth no good:
If Church and Court reply,
then giue them both the lye.

They gave the Queen the Lye divers times, and uſed her with moſt deſpiteful Speeches.

It is reputed so great a shame to be accounted a lyer, that any other injury is cancelled by giving the lie; and he that receiveth it, standeth so charged in his honor and reputation, that he cannot disburden himselfe of that imputation, but by striking of him that hath so giuen it, or by challenging him the combat.

The great Violation of the Point of Honour from Man to Man, is giving the Lie. One may tell another he Whores, Drinks, Blasphemes, and it may pass unresented; but to say he Lies, tho’ but in Jest, is an Affront that nothing but Blood can expiate.

Whatever injury was the initial cause of the quarrel, conflict might move into its physically violent phase only through the particular act of resentment constituted by giving the lie.

Giving the lie became the fundamental way of questioning a man’s status as a gentleman.

Give the lie

Meaning

Verb