The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 23: Kiều Got Caught by Dame Tú
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 23: Kiều Got Caught by Dame Tú 

Her heart beat faster and faster in her breast.

Sở Khanh’d turned rein somewhere and fled. 

Alone, and not knowing what to do,  

she felt frightened as she rode in the woods.

O childish Creator, how could you have the heart

to crush and trample a beautiful rose!

A pack of people surrounded her on all sides.

No claws to hide underground, no wings to fly into the sky.

Dame Tú, in hot haste, came straight at her.

In fury the old bawd dragged her back to the brothel.

Without saying a word, in furious rage,

the bawd thrashed the flower, flogged the willow tree.

Whose flesh and skin is not that of a human being.

Which rose when torn and shattered does not feel pain. 

Sparing no words, Kiều confessed, pleaded for mercy.

Straightening her back from bowing, she felt shreds of flesh falling. 

Raising her head from the ground, she felt blood dripping.

Kiều pleaded: “I’m just a poor woman

who’d left her home, her family, and came here.

Now, my life and death is in your hands. 

Brought to this pass, I’ve accepted my situation.

But what do I care for myself, I’m resigned to my fate. 

But your investment, where would it be then?

An eel does not mind having mud on its head.

What little maiden shame I have, hereafter, I will forget!”

When the bawd heard what she wanted to hear, 

she then required a guarantor and a written pledge.

Among the housemates was a girl, named Mã Kiều,

who pitied her and took courage to vouch for her.

The bawd kept on lecturing and questioning Kiều untill she was

 satisfied with Kieu’s docile behavior before she let Kieu go.

Mã Kiều helped her to another room to rest,

and gave her some consoling advice:

“You were duped. Just accept it, nothing to be done!

Around here, who doesn’t know who Sở Khanh is.

He’s infamous in the brothels for his faithlessness.

His hand has plucked and buried many flowers.

It was their trick - the heroic sword helping the distressed damsel.  

The bawd and the rogue, always a pair, planned this.

About thirty taels have passed from her hand to his.

If not, there wouldn’t be this story, nor his role acting comedy.  

His part done, he will do an about-face immediately.

Say less, don’t be mad and provoke him or you risk your life.”

Kiều said, “But he did make those solemn oaths.

Who would have thought that he’s such a deceitful man.