The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 6: Kiều Met Kim Trọng
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 6: Kiều Met Kim Trọng

At early dawn, Kim saw her, when the fog’s just cleared.

By the wall, she seemed a little puzzled as she searched far and near.

Kim has been waiting for her to appear all night.

He raised his voice over the wall to sound out her mind:

“A silver brooch I’ve just found. How would one know,

for the pearl to be returned, where’s Union Town?”

From the other side, Kiều replied:  “I’m grateful

for a gentleman’s heart that doesn’t care for dropped things.

The brooch’s worth only a few farthings.

But the noble-heartedness of a gentleman is highly esteemed.”

Kim replied: “We are close neighbors.

Just next door and not at all distant strangers.

A chance fortune for me to find a lost brooch

to lessen the sorrow in my heart all this time.

It’d been so long for me to wait for this day. Please stay awhile

to converse and let us get to know one another better.”

He hurriedly went back and take a few things from his room.

A velvet piece of cloth with two golden bracelets from his heirlooms.

With a ladder, he stealthily climbed over the wall.

Is she not the very person he met that day!

On recognizing him, she became shy and a little embarassed.

He gazed at her, while she shyly bowed her head.

Kim said: “Since our chance encounter at the festival,
My heart’s been longing for you all this time.
Lovesickness  is wearing my body thin.

If I just wait, who knows if there would be a today!

A full month already passed by since we met,
I had to dare for a chance to see and talk with you.
And now, do please grant me this:
Would a noble pedestaled mirror shine on a humble duckweed?”

After a while, she hesitantly replied:
“My family’s poor but our ways are snow-pure.
Even if two persons are in love with one another,
Its outcome will depend on father and mother.
I’m grateful for your affection.
I’m but a child and do not know really what to reply.”

Kim said: “Yesterday’s windy, tomorrow may be rainy.

A spring day like this does not, by any chance, come easy.

Even if you do not consider my infatuation,

it’s bad for me but is it of use to anyone?

We could first bind our affection.

And then form a plan of action.

Even if God does not take pity on our love,

We will dare to let go of our spring of youth in this life.

If your heart insists on being so strict,

my efforts for your love, would it not be very wasted?”

Quietly listening to his sweet words, gentle like a lullaby,
feelings of love reflected in the shyness of her eyes.
She said: “This’s a new and strange day.
Respecting your feelings for me,
my heart cannot bear to withstand your affection.

As I have received love from a true-hearted gentleman,
you have my golden vow of faithful love henceforth.”

On hearing her words, the anxiety knots in Kim’s heart were gone.
He took out the brooch, pink cloth and put them into her hands.
Saying: “A lifetime of our relationship starts from this day.
These are the tokens to mark our love.”
In her hand was already a velvet cloth, and a silk fan.
With her hairpin, they immediately exchanged gifts.  *

Their love vows were scarcely spoken,
when from the back of the house, voices were heard.
Hurriedly they left, brushing against leaves and flowers.

He returned to his study room, and she departed from her chamber. 

* Kim Trọng exchanged these gifts with Kiều: 2 golden bracelets for a silk fan and a golden hair brooch.