Love

Epigram XXI

by Bhartrihari traditionally 5th–7th century AD

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

Love

The sportive Love-god in this worldly sea
Angles continually;
And women are his hook, their luring lips
The bait that bobs and dips.

We greedy fools, like silly nibbling fish,
Are landed with a swish;
And then, alack! to end the cruel game
Are broiled on love's quick flame.

MLA

Bhartrihari. “Epigram XXI.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/20/.

Chicago

Bhartrihari. “Epigram XXI.” Translated by Paul Elmer More. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bhartrihari/20/.

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