On Fame

John Keats

Fame, like a wayward girl, will still be coy
To those who woo her with too slavish knees,
But makes surrender to some thoughtless boy,
And dotes the more upon a heart at ease;
She is a Gypsy,—will not speak to those
Who have not learnt to be content without her;
A Jilt, whose ear was never whispered close,
Who thinks they scandal her who talk about her;
A very Gypsy is she, Nilus-born,
Sister-in-law to jealous Potiphar;
Ye love-sick Bards! repay her scorn for scorn;
Ye Artists lovelorn! madmen that ye are!
Makeyour best bow to her and bid adieu,
Then, if she likes it, she will follow you.

Next 10 Poems

• John Keats : On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer
• John Keats : On Leaving Some Friends At An Early Hour
• John Keats : On Seeing The Elgin Marbles For The First Time
• John Keats : On Sitting Down To Read King Lear Once Again
• John Keats : On The Grasshopper And Cricket
• John Keats : On The Sea
• John Keats : Robin Hood
• John Keats : Song Of The Indian Maid, From 'endymion'
• John Keats : Sonnet: On The Sonnet
• John Keats : Stanzas

Previous 10 Poems

• John Keats : Ode To Psyche
• John Keats : Ode To Fanny
• John Keats : Ode To Autumn
• John Keats : Ode To A Nightingale
• John Keats : Ode On Melancholy
• John Keats : Ode On Indolence
• John Keats : Ode On A Grecian Urn
• John Keats : Ode
• John Keats : O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell
• John Keats : O Blush Not So!