"Raleigh Was Right" is a poem by William Carlos Williams, published in 1940 and composed in response to the Elizabethan exchange between Christopher Marlowe, in "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love", and Walter Raleigh, with "The Nymph's Reply".[1] [2]
Horton Foote's Roots in a Parched Ground, the opening play of The Orphans' Home Cycle, takes its title from a line in this poem.[3]
Raleigh was right We cannot go to the countryfor the country will bring usno peaceWhat can the small violetstell us that grow on furry stemsin the long grass amonglance-shaped leaves?
Though you praise usand call to mind the poetswho sung of our loveliness it waslong ago!long ago!when country people would plow and sow withflowering minds and pocketsat ease—if ever this were true.
Not now. Love itself a flowerwith roots in a parched ground.Empty pocketsmake empty heads. Cure itif you can but do not believethat we can live todayin the countryfor the country will bring usno peace.
— William Carlos Williams