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Lamentations at Eventide

Chapter 123 – Lamentations at Eventide / Pozhudhukantirangal

Couplets / kuratpaakal

Couplet 1221

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.

Transliteration
Maalaiyo Allai Manandhaar Uyirunnum
Velainee Vaazhi Pozhudhu.

Couplet 1222

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.

Transliteration
Punkannai Vaazhi Marulmaalai Emkelpol
Vankanna Thonin Thunai.

Couplet 1223

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.

Transliteration
Paniarumpip Paidhalkol Maalai

Couplet 1224

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.

Transliteration
Kaadhalar Ilvazhi Maalai Kolaikkalaththu
Edhilar Pola Varum.

Couplet 1225

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.

Transliteration
Kaalaikkuch Cheydhanandru Enkol Evankolyaan
Maalaikkuch Cheydha Pakai?.

Couplet 1226
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.

Transliteration
Maalainoi Seydhal Manandhaar Akalaadha
Kaalai Arindha Thilen.

Couplet 1227

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.

Transliteration
Kaalai Arumpip Pakalellaam Podhaaki
Maalai Malarumin Noi.

Couplet 1228

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).

Transliteration
Azhalpolum Maalaikkuth Thoodhaaki Aayan
Kuzhalpolum Kollum Patai.

Couplet 1229

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.

Transliteration
Padhimaruntu Paidhal Uzhakkum Madhimaruntu
Maalai Patardharum Pozhdhu.

Couplet 1230

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.

Transliteration
Porulmaalai Yaalarai Ulli Marulmaalai
Maayumen Maayaa Uyir.

 

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