John Keats (1795–1821). The Poetical Works of John Keats. 1884. | | 57. On Fame | | I | | | 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 Gipsey,—will not speak to those | 5 | Who have not learnt to be content without her; | | A Jilt, whose ear was never whisper’d close, | | Who thinks they scandal her who talk about her; | | A very Gipsey is she, Nilus-born, | | Sister-in-law to jealous Potiphar; | 10 | Ye love-sick Bards! repay her scorn for scorn; | | Ye Artists lovelorn! madmen that ye are! | | Make your best bow to her and bid adieu, | | Then, if she likes it, she will follow you. | | | | |