Love

Poem : 1161

I would my pain conceal, but see! it surging swells,
As streams to those that draw from ever-springing wells.

Explanation :
I would hide this pain from others; but it (only) swells like a spring to those who drain it.

Poem : 1162

I cannot hide this pain of mine, yet shame restrains
When I would tell it out to him who caused my pains.

Explanation :
I cannot conceal this pain, nor can I relate it without shame to him who has caused it.

Poem : 1163

My soul, like porter's pole, within my wearied frame,
Sustains a two-fold burthen poised, of love and shame.

Explanation :
(Both) lust and shame, with my soul for their shoulder pole balance themselves on a body that cannot bear them.

Poem : 1164

A sea of love, 'tis true, I see stretched out before,
But not the trusty bark that wafts to yonder shore.

Explanation :
There is indeed a flood of lust; but there is no raft of safety to cross it with.

Poem : 1165

Who work us woe in friendship's trustful hour,
What will they prove when angry tempests lower?

Explanation :
He who can produce sorrow from friendship, what can he not bring forth out of enmity ?

Poem : 1166

A happy love's sea of joy; but mightier sorrows roll
From unpropitious love athwart the troubled soul.

Explanation :
The pleasure of lust is (as great as) the sea; but the pain of lust is far greater.

Poem : 1167

I swim the cruel tide of love, and can no shore descry,
In watches of the night, too, 'mid the waters, only I!

Explanation :
I have swam across the terrible flood of lust, but have not seen its shore; even at midnight I am alone; still I live.

Poem : 1168

All living souls in slumber soft she steeps;
But me alone kind night for her companing keeps!

Explanation :
The night which graciously lulls to sleep all living creatures, has me alone for her companion.

Poem : 1169

More cruel than the cruelty of him, the cruel one,
In these sad times are lengthening hours of night I watch alone.

Explanation :
The long nights of these days are far more cruel than the heartless one who is torturing me.

Poem : 1170

When eye of mine would as my soul go forth to him,
It knows not how through floods of its own tears to swim.

Explanation :
Could mine eyes travel like my thoughts to the abode (of my absent lord), they would not swim in this flood of tears.