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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TRUE BASIS OF POWER, by AUBREY DE VERE Poet's Biography First Line: Power's footstool is opinion, and his throne | |||
Power's footstool is opinion, and his throne The human heart: thus only kings maintain Prerogatives God- sanctioned. The coarse chain Tyrants would bind around us may be blown Aside like foam that with a breath is gone. For there's a tide within the popular vein That despots in their pride may not restrain, Swollen with a vigour that is all its own. Ye who would steer along those doubtful seas , Lifting your proud sails to high heaven, beware! Rocks throng the waves, and tempests load the breeze; - Go, search the shores of history - mark there The oppressor's lot - - the tyrant's destinies. Behold the wrecks of ages, and despair! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest... |
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