The Misery of a Courtier's Life, by Bhartrhari

The Misery of a Courtier's Life

What can I do in princely courts,
Unskilled in vice, and idle sports,
Nor singer, actor, rogue, nor clown,
Nor bent on pulling others down?   Of old time learning courted saintly bliss,
Then stooped to be the slave of base desire,
But now that kings 'gainst intellect conspire
Each day she plunges deeper in th' abyss.

poems.one - Bhartrhari