The Poetry Corner

Sonnets: Idea XXII To Folly

By Michael Drayton

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 fitt'st to go together. He still as young as when he first was born, Nor 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 show, more fools indeed than they.