Poems (Coates 1916)/Volume I/Base-Born

For other versions of this work, see Base-Born.

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Poems, Volume I by Florence Earle Coates Base-Born

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BASE-BORN

MY parents had great joy, I wis,  Of their young days of love. In thought they were as deathless gods,  Mere human laws above: As deathless gods! But I?—alas!  Of joy what can I tell? Who am but as a broken vase  Beside a brimming well. My parents in each other's eyes  Beheld the heavenly stars, And found in one another's arms  The bliss that heaven unbars: They vowed when pleasure filled the cup  None should resist its spell: They quaffed,—and emptied me of joy,  Beside life's brimming well!