The Pallid Hue

I willed my lover absent should remain;
Of pining's sickly hue to whom shall I complain

Explanation
I who (then) consented to the absence of my loving lord, to whom can I (now) relate the fact of my having turned sallow.

Tamil Transliteration
Nayandhavarkku Nalkaamai Nerndhen Pasandhaven
Panpiyaarkku Uraikko Pira.

'He gave': this sickly hue thus proudly speaks,
Then climbs, and all my frame its chariot makes

Explanation
Sallowness, as if proud of having been caused by him, would now ride on my person.

Tamil Transliteration
Avardhandhaar Ennum Thakaiyaal Ivardhandhen
Menimel Oorum Pasappu.

Of comeliness and shame he me bereft,
While pain and sickly hue, in recompense, he left

Explanation
He has taken (away) my beauty and modesty, and given me instead disease and sallowness.

Tamil Transliteration
Saayalum Naanum Avarkontaar Kaimmaaraa
Noyum Pasalaiyum Thandhu.

I meditate his words, his worth is theme of all I say,
This sickly hue is false that would my trust betray

Explanation
I think (of him); and what I speak about is but his excellence; still is there sallowness; and this is deceitful.

Tamil Transliteration
Ulluvan Manyaan Uraippadhu Avardhiramaal
Kallam Piravo Pasappu.

My lover there went forth to roam;
This pallor of my frame usurps his place at home

Explanation
Just as my lover departed then, did not sallowness spread here on my person ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Uvakkaanem Kaadhalar Selvaar Ivakkaanen
Meni Pasappoor Vadhu.

As darkness waits till lamp expires, to fill the place,
This pallor waits till I enjoy no more my lord's embrace

Explanation
Just as darkness waits for the failing light; so does sallowness wait for the laxity of my husband's intercourse.

Tamil Transliteration
Vilakkatram Paarkkum Irulepol Konkan
Muyakkatram Paarkkum Pasappu.

I lay in his embrace, I turned unwittingly;
Forthwith this hue, as you might grasp it, came on me

Explanation
I who was in close embrace just turned aside and the moment I did so, sallowness came on me like something to be seized on.

Tamil Transliteration
Pullik Kitandhen Putaipeyarndhen Avvalavil
Allikkol Vatre Pasappu.

On me, because I pine, they cast a slur;
But no one says, 'He first deserted her.'

Explanation
Besides those who say "she has turned sallow" there are none who say "he has forsaken her".

Tamil Transliteration
Pasandhaal Ivalenpadhu Allaal Ivalaith
Thurandhaar Avarenpaar Il.

Well let my frame, as now, be sicklied o'er with pain,
If he who won my heart's consent, in good estate remain

Explanation
If he is clear of guilt who has conciliated me (to his departure) let my body suffer its due and turn sallow.

Tamil Transliteration
Pasakkaman Pattaangen Meni Nayappiththaar
Nannilaiyar Aavar Enin.

'Tis well, though men deride me for my sickly hue of pain;
If they from calling him unkind, who won my love, refrain

Explanation
It would be good to be said of me that I have turned sallow, if friends do not reproach with unkindness him who pleased me (then).

Tamil Transliteration
Pasappenap Perperudhal Nandre Nayappiththaar
Nalkaamai Thootraar Enin.