Explore "The Flowers of Evil" by Charles Pierre Baudelaire on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When by the changeless Power of a Supreme Decree / The poet issues forth upon this sorry sphere, / His mother, horrified, and full of blasphemy, / Uplifts her voice to God, who takes compassion on her.
"Ah, why did I not bear a serpent's nest entire, / Instead of bringing forth this hideous Child of Doom! / Oh cursed be that transient night of vain desire / When I conceived my expiation in my womb!"