The Vanity of the World, In a Poem to the Athenians. Elizabeth Rowe (née Singer) Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. R7317 A57734 Rowe, Elizabeth Singer, 1674-1737. Poems on several occasions. Written by Philomela. London Printed for John Dunton at the Raven in Jewen-street 1696 pp. 33-34. [24],72,69,[11]p.; 8⁰

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The Vanity of the World , In a Poem to the Athenians . WHat if serenely blest with Calms I swam Pactolus ! in thy golden Sanded stream ? Not all the wealth that lavish Chance cou'd give My soul from Death cou'd one short Hour reprieve . When from my Heart the wandring Life must move No Cordial all my useless Gold cou'd prove . What tho' I plung'd in Ioys so deep and wide , 'Twou'd tire my Thoughts to reach the distant side , Fancy it self 'twou'd tire to plumb the Abyss ; If I for an uncertain Lease of this Sold the fair hopes of an eternal bliss ? What if invested with the Royal State Of dazling Queens , ador'd by Kings I sat ? Yet when my trembling Soul's dislodg'd wou'd be No Room of State within the Grave for me . What if my Youth , in Wits and Beautys bloom Shou'd promise many a flatt'ring Year to come : Tho' Death shou'd pass the beauteous Flourisher , Advancing Time wou'd all its Glory marr . What if the Muses loudly sang my Fame , The barren Mountains ecchoing with my Name ? An envious puff might blast the rising Pride . And all its bright conspicuous Lustre hide . If o're my Relicks Monuments they raise And fill the World with Flattery , or with Praise , What wou'd they all avail , if sink I must , My Soul to endless shades , my Body to the dust ?