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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 brimmed the cup
None should resist its spell:
They quaffed,—and emptied me of joy,
Beside life's brimming well!
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