Living

Epigram II

by Bhartrihari traditionally 5th–7th century AD

Translated by Paul Elmer More (1898) · From A Century of Indian Epigrams (1898)

Living

In many a cavern on the wild hill-slopes
That near to heaven climb,
By many a pool, dwell eremites with hopes
That laugh at measured time.

They lave in the cool Ganga where it flows
Over the level rocks;
They peer among the trees where Çiva goes
Tossing his matted locks;

They breathe in joy: but we — alas that fate
Made woman's love so fair!
For love restrains us in a world we hate,
Cajoled by woman's snare.

MLA

Bhartrihari. “Epigram II.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/1/.

Chicago

Bhartrihari. “Epigram II.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/1/.

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