Lamentations at Eventide

Thou art not evening, but a spear that doth devour
The souls of brides; farewell, thou evening hour

Explanation
Live, O you evening are you (the former) evening? No, you are the season that slays (married) women.

Tamil Transliteration
Maalaiyo Allai Manandhaar Uyirunnum
Velainee Vaazhi Pozhudhu.

Thine eye is sad; Hail, doubtful hour of eventide!
Of cruel eye, as is my spouse, is too thy bride

Explanation
A long life to you, O dark evening! You are sightless Is your help-mate (also) as hard-hearted as mine.

Tamil Transliteration
Punkannai Vaazhi Marulmaalai Emkelpol
Vankanna Thonin Thunai.

With buds of chilly dew wan evening's shade enclose;
My anguish buds space and all my sorrow grows

Explanation
The evening that (once) came in with trembling and dimness (now) brings me an aversion for life and increasing sorrow.

Tamil Transliteration
Paniarumpip Paidhalkol Maalai Thuniarumpith
Thunpam Valara Varum.

When absent is my love, the evening hour descends,
As when an alien host to field of battle wends

Explanation
In the absence of my lover, evening comes in like slayers on the field of slaughter.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaadhalar Ilvazhi Maalai Kolaikkalaththu
Edhilar Pola Varum.

O morn, how have I won thy grace? thou bring'st relief
O eve, why art thou foe! thou dost renew my grief

Explanation
O eve, why art thou foe! thou dost renew my grief.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaalaikkuch Cheydhanandru Enkol Evankolyaan
Maalaikkuch Cheydha Pakai?.

The pangs that evening brings I never knew,
Till he, my wedded spouse, from me withdrew

Explanation
Previous to my husband's departure, I know not the painful nature of evening.

Tamil Transliteration
Maalainoi Seydhal Manandhaar Akalaadha
Kaalai Arindha Thilen.

My grief at morn a bud, all day an opening flower,
Full-blown expands in evening hour

Explanation
This malady buds forth in the morning, expands all day long and blossoms in the evening.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaalai Arumpip Pakalellaam Podhaaki
Maalai Malarumin Noi.

The shepherd's pipe is like a murderous weapon, to my ear,
For it proclaims the hour of ev'ning's fiery anguish near

Explanation
The shepherd's flute now sounds as a fiery forerunner of night, and is become a weapon that slays (me).

Tamil Transliteration
Azhalpolum Maalaikkuth Thoodhaaki Aayan
Kuzhalpolum Kollum Patai.

If evening's shades, that darken all my soul, extend;
From this afflicted town will would of grief ascend

Explanation
When night comes on confusing (everyone's) mind, the (whole) town will lose its sense and be plunged in sorrow.

Tamil Transliteration
Padhimaruntu Paidhal Uzhakkum Madhimaruntu
Maalai Patardharum Pozhdhu.

This darkening eve, my darkling soul must perish utterly;
Remembering him who seeks for wealth, but seeks not me

Explanation
My (hitherto) unextinguished life is now lost in this bewildering night at the thought of him who has the nature of wealth.

Tamil Transliteration
Porulmaalai Yaalarai Ulli Marulmaalai
Maayumen Maayaa Uyir.