From worse to better: but, when minds ascend,
Progress, in part, depends upon themselves.
Heaven aids exertion; greater makes the great;
The voluntary little lessens more.
Oh, be a man! and thou shalt be a god!
And half self-made!—Ambition how divine!
O thou, ambitious of disgrace alone!
Still undevout? unkindled?—Though high-taught,
School’d by the skies, and pupil of the stars;
Rank coward to the fashionable world! 1970