The Pillar of Fame

Fame's pillar here at last we set,

Out-during marble, brass or jet;
Charmed and enchanted so
As to withstand the blow
O f o v e r t h r o w;
Nor shall the seas,
O r o u t r a g e s
Of storms, o'erbear
What we uprear;
Tho' kingdoms fall,
This pillar never shall
Decline or waste at all;
But stand for ever by his own
Firm and well-fixed foundation.


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The poem begins with the pillar of fame being set and will outlast the tangible traces it can leave behind, such as statues or shrines. Fame is "Charmed and enchanted so as to withstand the blow of overthrow," meaning that it has been tempered as to be able to endure whatever may challenge it and try to bring the person down from prominence. It is saying that once you have ascended the pillar of fame, you will stay there. The Robert Herrick's The Pillar of Fame next sentence states that it cannot even be toppled by the wrath of mother nature, or wars that could take down a kingdom. The Pillar of Fame will outlast all and endure beyond the one who is on top of it. The line, "But stand for ever by his own firm and well-fixed foundation," is saying that fame is self-supporting and can live forever.