Love

Poem : 1301

Be still reserved, decline his profferred love;
A little while his sore distress we 'll prove.

Explanation :
Let us witness awhile his keen suffering; just feign dislike and embrace him not.

Poem : 1302

A cool reserve is like the salt that seasons well the mess,
Too long maintained, 'tis like the salt's excess.

Explanation :
A little dislike is like salt in proportion; to prolong it a little is like salt a little too much.

Poem : 1303

'Tis heaping griefs on those whose hearts are grieved;
To leave the grieving one without a fond embrace.

Explanation :
For men not to embrace those who have feigned dislike is like torturing those already in agony.

Poem : 1304

To use no kind conciliating art when lover grieves,
Is cutting out the root of tender winding plant that droops.

Explanation :
Not to reconcile those who have feigned dislike is like cutting a faded creeper at its root.

Poem : 1305

Even to men of good and worthy mind, the petulance
Of wives with flowery eyes lacks not a lovely grace.

Explanation :
An increased shyness in those whose eyes are like flowers is beautiful even to good and virtuous husbands.

Poem : 1306

Love without hatred is ripened fruit;
Without some lesser strife, fruit immature.

Explanation :
Sexual pleasure, without prolonged and short-lived dislike, is like too ripe, and unripe fruit.

Poem : 1307

A lovers' quarrel brings its pain, when mind afraid
Asks doubtful, 'Will reunion sweet be long delayed?'

Explanation :
The doubt as to whether intercourse would take place soon or not, creates a sorrow (even) in feigned dislike.

Poem : 1308

What good can grieving do, when none who love
Are there to know the grief thy soul endures?

Explanation :
What avails sorrow when I am without a wife who can understand the cause of my sorrow?

Poem : 1309

Water is pleasant in the cooling shade;
So coolness for a time with those we love.

Explanation :
Like water in the shade, dislike is delicious only in those who love.

Poem : 1310

Of her who leaves me thus in variance languishing,
To think within my heart with love is fond desire.

Explanation :
It is nothing but strong desire that makes her mind unite with me who can leave her to her own dislike.