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It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely.
It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely.
What is the end of Fame? 'tis but to fill
A certain portion of uncertain paper:
Some read more
What is the end of Fame? 'tis but to fill
A certain portion of uncertain paper:
Some liken it to climbing up a hill,
Whose summit, like all hills, is lost in vapour:
For this men write, speak, preach, and heroes kill,
And bards burn what they call their "midnight taper,"
To have, when the original is dust,
A name, a wretched picture, and worse bust.
The splendors that belong unto the fame of earth are but a wind,
that in the same direction lasts read more
The splendors that belong unto the fame of earth are but a wind,
that in the same direction lasts not long.
[It., Non e il mondam romore alro che un fiato
Di vento, che vien quinci et or vien quindi,
E muta nome, perche muta lato.]
Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar!
Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar!
The present condition of fame is merely fashion.
The present condition of fame is merely fashion.
Fame is vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.
Fame is vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.
Read but o'er the Stories
Of men most fam'd for courage or for counsaile
And you shall read more
Read but o'er the Stories
Of men most fam'd for courage or for counsaile
And you shall find that the desire of glory
Was the last frailty wise men put of;
Be they presidents.
Fame is not just. She never finely or discriminatingly praises, but coarsely hurrahs.
Fame is not just. She never finely or discriminatingly praises, but coarsely hurrahs.
