The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 10: Don't Treat Love As a Game
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 10: Don't Treat Love As a Game

Her flower scent became increasingly fragrant in the night.

Gazing into her sparkling eyes, his love turned into fire.

Waves of desire swept through his heart.

As he cuddled her, his growing lust began to show.

Kiều said, “Don’t treat our love as a game.

Please stand away from me and let me finish my say.

Nothing so precious about a mere peach blossom flower

The peach garden doesn’t dare to fence itself from the blue birds.

But as you want me to be your future wife,

the rules of good-wife ethics put chastity first.

If a woman’s easy with granting sexual favors,
then who would ever want to marry her.
Love relationship’s not a temporary eat-then-leave place.

The chastity of a lifetime, how can one forsake it in a day!

* Tsui and Chang: characters in the play, “Romance of the West Chamber” or “West Chamber Tale”.

Think of notable love stories from the past to the present.
Which couples are better matched than Tsui and Chang.
Pre-marriage sex had destroyed their love for each other.

She obliged him too much, so he got tired of her.
Even while they were together and passionately in love,
he looked down on her in his heart.
the West Chamber grows cold with broken vows,
turning an affectionate love into a shameful one.

If a lady fights to protect her chastity against her future husband,

when they’re married, she’d feel ashamed, and because of whom?

Please! Why hurry in making demands for sexual pleasure.
While I’m alive, I promise one day you will get your due.”
Upon hearing her sweet and virtuous words,
she gained his respect to the fullest.

* Tsui and Chang: characters in the play, “Romance of the West Chamber” or “West Chamber Tale”.