Wasting Away

Thine eyes grown dim are now ashamed the fragrant flow'rs to see,
Thinking on him, who wand'ring far, leaves us in misery

Explanation
While we endure the unbearable sorrow, your eyes weep for him who is gone afar, and shun (the sight of) fragrant flowers.

Tamil Transliteration
Sirumai Namakkozhiyach Chetchendraar Ulli
Narumalar Naanina Kan.

The eye, with sorrow wan, all wet with dew of tears,
As witness of the lover's lack of love appears

Explanation
The discoloured eyes that shed tears profusely seem to betray the unkindness of our beloved.

Tamil Transliteration
Nayandhavar Nalkaamai Solluva Polum
Pasandhu Panivaarum Kan.

These withered arms, desertion's pangs abundantly display,
That swelled with joy on that glad nuptial day

Explanation
The shoulders that swelled on the day of our union (now) seem to announce our separation clearly (to the public).

Tamil Transliteration
Thanandhamai Saala Arivippa Polum
Manandhanaal Veengiya Thol.

When lover went, then faded all their wonted charms,
And armlets' golden round slips off from these poor wasted arms

Explanation
In the absence of your consort, your shoulders having lost their former beauty and fulness, your bracelets of pure gold have become loose.

Tamil Transliteration
Panaineengip Paindhoti Sorum Thunaineengith
Tholkavin Vaatiya Thol.

These wasted arms, the bracelet with their wonted beauty gone,
The cruelty declare of that most cruel one

Explanation
The (loosened) bracelets, and the shoulders from which the old beauty has faded, relate the cruelty of the pitiless one.

Tamil Transliteration
Kotiyaar Kotumai Uraikkum Thotiyotu
Tholkavin Vaatiya Thol.

I grieve, 'tis pain to me to hear him cruel chid,
Because the armlet from my wasted arm has slid

Explanation
I am greatly pained to hear you call him a cruel man, just because your shoulders are reduced and your bracelets loosened.

Tamil Transliteration
Thotiyotu Tholnekizha Noval Avaraik
Kotiyar Enakkooral Nondhu.

My heart! say ought of glory wilt thou gain,
If to that cruel one thou of thy wasted arms complain

Explanation
Can you O my soul! gain glory by relating to the (so-called) cruel one the clamour of my fading shoulders?.

Tamil Transliteration
Paatu Perudhiyo Nenje Kotiyaarkken
Vaatudhot Poosal Uraiththu.

One day the fervent pressure of embracing arms I checked,
Grew wan the forehead of the maid with golden armlet decked

Explanation
When I once loosened the arms that were in embrace, the forehead of the gold-braceleted women turned sallow.

Tamil Transliteration
Muyangiya Kaikalai Ookkap Pasandhadhu
Paindhotip Pedhai Nudhal.

As we embraced a breath of wind found entrance there;
The maid's large liquid eyes were dimmed with care

Explanation
When but a breath of breeze penetrated our embrace, her large cool eyes became sallow.

Tamil Transliteration
Muyakkitaith Thanvali Pozhap Pasapputra
Pedhai Perumazhaik Kan.

The dimness of her eye felt sorrow now,
Beholding what was done by that bright brow

Explanation
Was it at the sight of what the bright forehead had done that the sallowness of her eyes became sad?.

Tamil Transliteration
Kannin Pasappo Paruvaral Eydhindre
Onnudhal Seydhadhu Kantu.