Classic Poem

I read a brilliant essay
On fame the other day;
The scribe attacked the subject
In a most decisive way.

She said (for 'twas a woman)
That glory was a snare,
An ignis-fatuus leading
Through deadly swamps of care.

She likened it to bubbles
That tempt the childish eye,
But shatter soon as captured,
And into nothing fly.

The love of praise, she added,
Betokened silly pride,
And throve in natures little
And impudent beside.

But when this witty woman
Had quite demolished fame,
She closed her brilliant essay,
And — signed in full her name!