Reserve Overcome

Of womanly reserve love's axe breaks through the door,
Barred by the bolt of shame before

Explanation
The axe of lust can break the door of chastity which is bolted with the bolt of modesty.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaamak Kanichchi Utaikkum Niraiyennum
Naanuththaazh Veezhththa Kadhavu.

What men call love is the one thing of merciless power;
It gives my soul no rest, e'en in the midnight hour

Explanation
Even at midnight is my mind worried by lust, and this one thing, alas! is without mercy.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaamam Enavondro Kannindren Nenjaththai
Yaamaththum Aalum Thozhil.

I would my love conceal, but like a sneeze
It shows itself, and gives no warning sign

Explanation
I would conceal my lust, but alas, it yields not to my will but breaks out like a sneeze.

Tamil Transliteration
Maraippenman Kaamaththai Yaano Kurippindrith
Thummalpol Thondri Vitum.

In womanly reserve I deemed myself beyond assail;
But love will come abroad, and casts away the veil

Explanation
I say I would be firm, but alas, my malady breaks out from its concealment and appears in public.

Tamil Transliteration
Niraiyutaiyen Enpenman Yaanoen Kaamam
Maraiyirandhu Mandru Patum.

The dignity that seeks not him who acts as foe,
Is the one thing that loving heart can never know

Explanation
The dignity that would not go after an absent lover is not known to those who are sticken by love.

Tamil Transliteration
Setraarpin Sellaap Perundhakaimai Kaamanoi
Utraar Arivadhondru Andru.

My grief how full of grace, I pray you see!
It seeks to follow him that hateth me

Explanation
The sorrow I have endured by desiring to go after my absent lover, in what way is it excellent?.

Tamil Transliteration
Setravar Pinseral Venti Aliththaro
Etrennai Utra Thuyar.

No sense of shame my gladdened mind shall prove,
When he returns my longing heart to bless with love

Explanation
I know nothing like shame when my beloved does from love (just) what is desired (by me).

Tamil Transliteration
Naanena Ondro Ariyalam Kaamaththaal
Peniyaar Petpa Seyin.

The words of that deceiver, versed in every wily art,
Are instruments that break through every guard of woman's heart

Explanation
Are not the enticing words of my trick-abounding roguish lover the weapon that breaks away my feminine firmness?.

Tamil Transliteration
Panmaayak Kalvan Panimozhi Andronam
Penmai Utaikkum Patai.

'I 'll shun his greeting'; saying thus with pride away I went:
I held him in my arms, for straight I felt my heart relent

Explanation
I said I would feign dislike and so went (away); (but) I embraced him the moment I say my mind began to unite with him!.

Tamil Transliteration
Pulappal Enachchendren Pullinen Nenjam
Kalaththal Uruvadhu Kantu.

'We 'll stand aloof and then embrace': is this for them to say,
Whose hearts are as the fat that in the blaze dissolves away

Explanation
Is it possible for those whose hearts melt like fat in the fire to say they can feign a strong dislike and remain so?.

Tamil Transliteration
Ninandheeyil Ittanna Nenjinaarkku Unto
Punarndhooti Nirpem Enal.