Trial By Fire

There are times that can test and can try a man's soul When his mettle's subjected to hot burning coals And his heart's in his throat and his tongue's all a-tremble A time to speak truth, not to lie or dissemble When the spotlight is aiming its ray gun at you Darts and daggers blazing and blasting on through Your protective armor so flimsy and weak Flames howl at you and your answers that reek ... Now the fires barely flicker, their embers worn down The arena is spent; it's the dark side of town You've been tested and tried and found sorely lacking Duplicity's unmasking ~ jackals' gallery a-clacking