quote · Legacy record
Of all the phantoms fleeting in the mist Of Time, though meagre all, and ghostly thin, Most unsubstantial, unessential shade, Was earthly Fame. She was a voice alone, And dwelt upon the noisy tongues of men. She never thought, but gabbled ever on, Applauding most what least deserved applause. The motive, the result, was nought to her. The deed alone, though dyed in human gore, And steeped in widows’ tears, if it stood out To prominent display, she talked of much, And roared around it with a thousand tongues. As changed the wind her organ, so she changed Perpetually; and whom she praised to-day, Vexing his ear with acclamations loud, To-morrow blamed, and hissed him out of sight.
Of all the phantoms fleeting in the mist Of Time, though meagre all, and ghostly thin, Most unsubstantial, unessential shade, Was earthly Fame. She was a voice alone, And dwelt upon the noisy tongues of men. She never thought, but gabbled ever on, Applauding most what least deserved applause. The motive, the result, was nought to her. The deed alone, though dyed in human gore, And steeped in widows’ tears, if it stood out To prominent display, she talked of much, And roared around it with a thousand tongues. As changed the wind her organ, so she changed Perpetually; and whom she praised to-day, Vexing his ear with acclamations loud, To-morrow blamed, and hissed him out of sight.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Pollok (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 217 · printed citation: Pollok · subject: FAME
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.