Couplet 1181
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
Couplet 1182
'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
Couplet 1183
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
Couplet 1184
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
Couplet 1185
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 ?
Couplet 1186
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
Couplet 1187
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
Couplet 1188
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"
Couplet 1189
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
Couplet 1190
'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)
