The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 42: Kiều Met Từ Hải
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 42: Kiều Met Từ Hải 

Nights passed by under the cool breeze and soft moonlight.

Then a sudden guest from the national frontier came to seek pleasure. 

With tiger mustache, square chin, silkworm eyebrows,

broad shoulders and big stature, 

he was plainly a majestic hero

with superior martial arts skills, and a strategic mind. 

Carrying the sky on his head, and stamping the earth with his feet, 

his name is Từ Hải and he came from Kwangtung.  

He led an adventurous life, full of fun and dangers.

With sword and lute, he trekked mountains and sailed rivers. 

On his arrival at the town, he heard of Kiều’s fame. 

The girl’s story and charms moved the hero’s heart.

He brought his card to her chamber.

They both glanced at each other, liking what they saw.

Từ said, “Heart meeting heart,

I’m not a gallant seeking pleasure of love for the moment. 

I had heard of your beauty for a long time, 

“Have your blue eyes contain the image of any one yet?

In this world, there’s not many heroes,

why waste your life with the fishes in basins, the birds in the cages! 

Kiều replied, “You praised me too much.

Living this life, I dare not look down on anyone!

I just want to choose the right stone to test the gold,

since I need to know to whom I can entrust my heart.

As for those who come here to take pleasure,

I have no choice in selecting the gold from the brass.” 

Từ said, “Your words conveyed a great depth of heart.

It reminded me of  the words of Ping-Yuan.

Come here and look at me closely.

See whether you can trust me to some degrees or not?”

Kiều replied, “You’re too generous and kind toward me.

I think that Chin-yang  will see a dragon in the clouds, one day.

Do have pity then for this lowly flower.

My drifting duckweed life, dare I ask for your support in the future?“

Upon hearing her words, he was pleased and nodded.

He laughed, “In this world, there are few friends of the heart. 

My praise for your discerning eyes, 

in recognizing a hero when he’s still leading a wandering life.

By your words, you discerned who I am, apart from the rest. 

When I gain great power and wealth, we will still have each together. 

Two minds as one, two hearts in unison.

Love will seek love, without the need for any gifts or preparations.

He then  talked to a matchmaker, and through her

paid  some hundred taels to the brothel’s owner for Kiều’s freedom.

For their love nest, the couple chose a quiet place.

In it was a lavish bed, and a screen decorated with the eight gods. 

The man a hero, the woman a beautiful flower.

They’re a perfect match, like dragon and phoenix living together.