Sonnet 22. With fools and children, good discretion bears

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1602 (No. 25), and in all later editions.]

To Folly

WITH fools and children, good discretion bears.

Then, honest people, bear with LOVE and me!

Nor older yet, nor wiser made by years,

Amongst the rest of fools and children be.

LOVE, still a baby, plays with gauds and toys,

And like a wanton sports with every feather;

And idiots still are running after boys:

Then fools and children fittest to go together.

He still as young as when he first was born;

No wiser I, than when as young as he:

You that behold us, laugh us not to scorn;

Give Nature thanks, you are not such as we!

Yet fools and children sometimes tell in play,

Some wise in shew, more fools indeed than they!