Thirukkural Chapter 123 - Lamentations at Eventide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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