The Announcement of the Rumour

By this same rumour's rise, my precious life stands fast;
Good fortune grant the many know this not

Explanation
My precious life is saved by the raise of rumour, and this, to my good luck no others are aware of.

Tamil Transliteration
Alarezha Aaruyir Na?rkum Adhanaip
Palarariyaar Paakkiyath Thaal.

The village hath to us this rumour giv'n, that makes her mine;
Unweeting all the rareness of the maid with flower-like eyne

Explanation
Not knowing the value of her whose eyes are like flowers this town has got up a rumour about me.

Tamil Transliteration
Malaranna Kannaal Arumai Ariyaadhu
Alaremakku Eendhadhiv Voor.

The rumour spread within the town, is it not gain to me?
It is as though that were obtained that may not be

Explanation
Will I not get a rumour that is known to the (whole) town ? For what I have not got is as if I had got it (already).

Tamil Transliteration
Uraaadho Oorarindha Kelavai Adhanaip
Peraaadhu Petranna Neerththu.

The rumour rising makes my love to rise;
My love would lose its power and languish otherwise

Explanation
Rumour increases the violence of my passion; without it it would grow weak and waste away.

Tamil Transliteration
Kavvaiyaal Kavvidhu Kaamam Adhuvindrel
Thavvennum Thanmai Izhandhu.

The more man drinks, the more he ever drunk would be;
The more my love's revealed, the sweeter 'tis to me

Explanation
As drinking liquor is delightful (to one) whenever one is in mirth, so is lust delightful to me whenever it is the subject of rumour.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaliththorum Kalluntal Vettatraal Kaamam
Velippatun Thorum Inidhu.

I saw him but one single day: rumour spreads soon
As darkness, when the dragon seizes on the moon

Explanation
It was but a single day that I looked on (my lover); but the rumour thereof has spread like the seizure of the moon by the serpent.

Tamil Transliteration
Kantadhu Mannum Orunaal Alarmannum
Thingalaip Paampukon Tatru.

My anguish grows apace: the town's report
Manures it; my mother's word doth water it

Explanation
This malady (of lust) is manured by the talk of women and watered by the (harsh) words of my mother.

Tamil Transliteration
Ooravar Kelavai Eruvaaka Annaisol
Neeraaka Neelumin Noi.

With butter-oil extinguish fire! 'Twill prove
Harder by scandal to extinguish love

Explanation
To say that one could extinguish passion by rumour is like extinguishing fire with ghee.

Tamil Transliteration
Neyyaal Erinudhuppem Endratraal Kelavaiyaal
Kaamam Nudhuppem Enal.

When he who said 'Fear not!' hath left me blamed,
While many shrink, can I from rumour hide ashamed

Explanation
When the departure of him who said "fear not" has put me to shame before others, why need I be ashamed of scandal.

Tamil Transliteration
Alarnaana Olvadho Anjalompu Endraar
Palarnaana Neeththak Katai.

If we desire, who loves will grant what we require;
This town sends forth the rumour we desire

Explanation
The rumour I desire is raised by the town (itself); and my lover would if desired consent (to my following him).

Tamil Transliteration
Thaamventin Nalkuvar Kaadhalar Yaamventum
Kelavai Etukkumiv Voor.