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.
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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.
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!
And what after all is everlasting fame? Altogether vanity.
And what after all is everlasting fame? Altogether vanity.
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.]
Fame is only good for one thing- they will cash your check in a small town.
Fame is only good for one thing- they will cash your check in a small town.
The present condition of fame is merely fashion.
The present condition of fame is merely fashion.
All your renown is like the summer flower that blooms and dies;
because the sunny glow which brings it read more
All your renown is like the summer flower that blooms and dies;
because the sunny glow which brings it forth, soon slays with
parching power.
[It., La vostra nominanza e color d'erba,
Che viene e va; e quei la discolora
Per cui ell' esce della terra acerba.]
Scarcely two hundred years back can Fame recollect articulately
at all; and there she but maunders and mumbles.
Scarcely two hundred years back can Fame recollect articulately
at all; and there she but maunders and mumbles.
