Desire for Reunion

Gladness at the thought, rejoicing at the sight,
Not palm-tree wine, but love, yields such delight

Explanation
To please by thought and cheer by sight is peculiar, not to liquor but lust.

Tamil Transliteration
Ullak Kaliththalum Kaana Makizhdhalum
Kallukkil Kaamaththir Kuntu.

When as palmyra tall, fulness of perfect love we gain,
Distrust can find no place small as the millet grain

Explanation
If women have a lust that exceeds even the measure of the palmyra fruit, they will not desire (to feign) dislike even as much as the millet.

Tamil Transliteration
Thinaiththunaiyum Ootaamai Ventum Panaith Thunaiyum
Kaamam Niraiya Varin.

Although his will his only law, he lightly value me,
My heart knows no repose unless my lord I see

Explanation
Though my eyes disregard me and do what is pleasing to my husband, still will they not be satisfied unless they see him.

Tamil Transliteration
Penaadhu Petpave Seyyinum Konkanaik
Kaanaa Thamaiyala Kan.

My friend, I went prepared to show a cool disdain;
My heart, forgetting all, could not its love restrain

Explanation
My heart, forgetting all, could not its love restrain.

Tamil Transliteration
Ootarkan Sendrenman Thozhi Adhumarandhu
Kootarkan Sendradhu En Nenju.

The eye sees not the rod that paints it; nor can I
See any fault, when I behold my husband nigh

Explanation
Like the eyes which see not the pencil that paints it, I cannot see my husband's fault (just) when I meet him.

Tamil Transliteration
Ezhudhungaal Kolkaanaak Kannepol Konkan
Pazhikaanen Kanta Itaththu.

When him I see, to all his faults I 'm blind;
But when I see him not, nothing but faults I find

Explanation
When I see my husband, I do not see any faults; but when I do not see him, I do not see anything but faults.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaanungaal Kaanen Thavaraaya Kaanaakkaal
Kaanen Thavaral Lavai.

As those of rescue sure, who plunge into the stream,
So did I anger feign, though it must falsehood seem

Explanation
Like those who leap into a stream which they know will carry them off, why should a wife feign dislike which she knows cannot hold out long?.

Tamil Transliteration
Uyththal Arindhu Punalpaai Pavarepol
Poiththal Arindhen Pulandhu.

Though shameful ill it works, dear is the palm-tree wine
To drunkards; traitor, so to me that breast of thine

Explanation
O you rogue! your breast is to me what liquor is to those who rejoice in it, though it only gives them an unpleasant disgrace.

Tamil Transliteration
Iliththakka Innaa Seyinum Kaliththaarkkuk
Kallatre Kalvanin Maarpu.

Love is tender as an opening flower In season due
To gain its perfect bliss is rapture known to few

Explanation
Sexual delight is more delicate than a flower, and few are those who understand its real nature.

Tamil Transliteration
Malarinum Mellidhu Kaamam Silaradhan
Sevvi Thalaippatu Vaar.

Her eye, as I drew nigh one day, with anger shone:
By love o'erpowered, her tenderness surpassed my own

Explanation
She once feigned dislike in her eyes, but the warmth of her embrace exceeded my own.

Tamil Transliteration
Kannin Thuniththe Kalanginaal Pulludhal
Enninum Thaanvidhup Putru.