Sonnet Lxxvi. To A Young Man Entering The World

GO now, ingenious youth!–The trying hour
Is come: The world demands that thou shouldst go
To active life: There titles, wealth, and power,
May all be purchased–Yet I joy to know
Thou wilt not pay their price. The base control
Of petty despots in their pedant reign
Already hast thou felt;–and high disdain
Of tyrants is imprinted on thy soul–
Not, where mistaken Glory, in the field
Rears her red banner, be thou ever found:
But, against proud Oppression raise the shield
Of patriot daring–So shalt thou renown’d
For the best virtues live ; or that denied
May’st die, as Hampden or as Sydney died!