The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 22: Kiều Fell Into Sở Khanh’s Trap
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 22: Kiều Fell Into Sở Khanh’s Trap 

Feeling sorrowed, she let down the beaded curtain.

Then she heard a voice across the wall 

speaking some verse with rhymes that match her poem. 

He was a young man, in the flush of youth,

well groomed and elegantly dressed.

She thought he also came from a line of gentlefolk.

Upon inquiry, she learned that he’s called Sở Khanh.

Upon seeing her beautiful silhouette behind the curtain,

appearing to be heart-smitten, he declared his love:

“Alas! The beauty of a kingdom, the fragrance of heaven’s flower! 

Whence and how did she stray to this place?

She’s a treasure that should only be found 

on the moon or some other cloud palace.

O Flower! Beautiful Flower! How could it be doomed to this wretched life?   

 My bosom boils with anger at the unjust old God.

This suffering heart, who will understand me? O my heart!

If the beauty would only recognize my heroic nature,

to free her from her cage is just a child’s play matter.”

The autumn window’s shutters had been closed.

Still echoing in her ears were his confident words.

She thought of him, then of herself.

His pity touched her and she felt less abandoned.

One day followed another, rain or shine. 

She wondered when could her lot - 

a flower blown by the wind ever be left behind?

She’d take a risk and send a few words to the man.

Asking him to extend his compassionate hand

to save a person drowning in a sea of woes. 

On a piece of stationery, she told her whole story.

How she had paid her filial debts, how she’d strayed here.

The next day when the morning mists just dissipated,

she had a messenger delivered her missive. 

The golden sun was disappearing in the west,

when a letter from him arrived.

She opened the cherry-blossom-decorated note

and found just two words “Tích Việt” in clear-cut strokes. 

She decoded the words for their hidden meaning:

“The 21st, hour of the dog.”  Isn’t it?”

At dusk, the birds, one by one, returned to the woods.

Through the camellias shone a half moon. 

On the east wall, tree branches’ shadows  stirred.

Parting the shutters, she saw So Khanh crept in. 

Abashed, she gathered her nerve to greet him.

After a kowtow, she whispered her appeal:

“I’m just a duckweed, a bubble. Strayed from my kindred 

to bear the debt of living among the orioles and swallows. 

I beg you to save me from this life. 

My bones and flesh, my life and death, I entrust in your hands.

I’ll express my gratitude for you in hundreds of ways later on!”

He listened, nodding his head, then said: 

“I’m not just anybody, you know!

Since you trust me and came to me for help,

I will have your sea of woes be drained, before I’m done!”

Kiều said, “I rely on your kindness for everything.

I will follow your plan, whatever it is, to end this.

He said, “I have a horse, as swift as the wind.

And a servant from a lineage of hardy people.

Let’s grasp the opportunity and slip away.

Of the thirty six strategies, this one’s the best.

If any difficulties should arise, 

with me here with you, they will come to naught!”

Upon hearing his words, she became suspicious.

But having gone too far, she couldn’t draw back now.

Resigned to the risk of closing her eyes and jumping forward.

Then see to where the Maker would spin and roll her life.

Together they slipped downstairs and left.

Each on a horse, one following the other. 

The autumn night advanced slowly as time passed.

The wind stripped leaves off the trees, the hills hid the moon.

Grass gleamed with dew along the well-worn trail.

Each step she took, her heart yearned for home. 

As the cocks crowed in chorus, signaling dawn,

she heard loud voices of people coming from behind.