Page 1834 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Why, Fool? [65]

FOOL
We’ll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee there’s no labouring
i’th’winter. All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and
there’s not a nose among twenty but can smell him that’s stinking. Let go thy
hold when a great wheel runs down a hill, lest it break [70] thy neck with

following; but the great one that goes upward, let him draw thee after. When
a wise man gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I would have
none but knaves follow it, since a Fool gives it.

That sir which serves and seeks for gain, [75]
And follows but for form,
Will pack when it begins to rain,
And leave thee in the storm.
But I will tarry; the Fool will stay,

And let the wise man fly: [80]
The knave turns Fool that runs away;
The Fool no knave, perdy.

KENT
Where learn’d you this, Fool?

FOOL

Not i’th’ stocks, Fool.

Re-enter Lear, with Gloucester.

LEAR
Deny to speak with me! They are sick! They are weary! [85]
They have travell’d all the night! Mere fetches, ay,
The images of revolt and flying off.

Fetch me a better answer.

GLOUCESTER

My dear Lord,
You know the fiery quality of the Duke;
How unremovable and fix’d he is [90]
In his own course.