popularity, bitches!

from Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, a letter sent to Elizabeth I during his imprisonment (1600)

I not only am subject to their malicious informations that first envied me for my happiness in your favor, & nowe hate me out of custom: but as if I were throwen into a corner like a dead carcas, I am gnawed on & torne by the vilest and basest creatures upon earthe. The prating tavern-haunter speaks of me what he list: the frantick libeler writes of me what he list; already they print me & make me speak to the world; and shortly they will play me in what forme they list upon the stage.