He that has and a little tiny wit -- With heigh-ho, the wind and the rain, -- Must make content with his fortunes fit, For the rain it raineth every day.
The fool's air and prophecy
Set by Steven Ebel , "The fool's air and prophecy", 2007 [ tenor, flute, violin, cello, piano ] [Sung Text]
Note: this setting is made up of several separate texts.
Text Authorship:
- by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), no title, appears in King Lear, Act III, Scene 2
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Paavo Cajander)
- FRE French (Français) (François-Victor Hugo) , no title
This is a brave night to cool a courtezan. I'll speak a prophecy ere I go: When priests are more in word than matter; When brewers mar their malt with water; When nobles are their tailors' tutors; No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; When every case in law is right; No squire in debt, nor no poor knight; When slanders do not live in tongues; Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; When usurers tell their gold i' the field; And bawds and whores do churches build; Then shall the realm of Albion Come to great confusion: Then comes the time, who lives to see't, That going shall be used with feet. This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his time.
Text Authorship:
- by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), no title, appears in King Lear, Act III, Scene 2
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (François-Victor Hugo) , no title
Author(s): William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)