"What is wealth?" the king would say, "Even this shall pass away". - Theodore Tilton

What is fame?
Fame is but a slow decay—
Even this shall pass away.

But I account it worth All pangs of fair hopes crost—
All loves and honors lost,— To gain the heavens, at cost
Of losing earth.

I won a noble fame;
But with a sudden frown,
The people snatched my crown,
And, in the mire, trod down My lofty name.