Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ELEGIAC SONNET: 76. TO A YOUNG MAN ENTERING THE WORLD, by CHARLOTTE SMITH


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ELEGIAC SONNET: 76. TO A YOUNG MAN ENTERING THE WORLD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Go now, ingenuous youth! - the trying hour
Last Line: May'st die, as hampden or as sydney died!
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Charlotte Turner
Subject(s): Freedom; Youth; Liberty


Go now, ingenuous Youth! -- The trying hour
Is come: The World demands that thou shouldst go
To active life: There titles, wealth and power
May all be purchas'd -- Yet I joy to know
Thou wilt not pay their price. The base controul
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!





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