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,
And follows but for form, 80
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: 84
The knave turns fool that runs away;
The fool no knave, perdy.
Kent. Where learn'd you this, fool?
Fool. Not i' the stocks, fool. 88
Enter Lear, and Gloucester.
Lear. Deny to speak with me! They are sick! they are weary,
They have travell'd hard to-night! Mere fetches,
The images of revolt and flying off.
Fetch me a better answer.
Glo. My dear lord, 92
You know the fiery quality of the duke;
How unremovable and fix'd he is
In his own course.
Lear. Vengeance! plague! death! confusion!
Fiery! what quality? Why, Gloucester, Gloucester, 97
I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife.
Glo. Well, my good lord, I have inform'd them so.
Lear. Inform'd them! Dost thou understand me, man? 100
Glo. Ay, my good lord.
Lear. The king would speak with Cornwall; the dear father
81 pack: hurry off
86 perdy: by God, pardieu
89 Deny: refuse
90 fetches: tricks
91 flying off: desertion
