The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 29: Kiều’s Concern about Thúc’s Wife
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 29: Kiều’s Concern about Thúc’s Wife 

Time flew by as they indulged in wine and chess.

The spring peach blossoms were fading their reds,

and the summer lotuses budding their greens.

On a quiet night, behind the curtains, 

 she had some misgivings and told him about them:

“Since I’d followed you to live this new life,

almost a year have passed, as swallows replaced geese in the sky.

 News from your home arrived less and less everyday.

With a new concubine, you’ve been lukewarm to your wife.

Come to think of it, I find it rather very odd. 

From talk and gossip, who could hold back news of our relationship?

I heard from hearsay that your wife

observes strict rules of conduct and speaks with authority.

I’m afraid of these uncommon souls.

It’s hard to measure the bottom of a river.

And to think that we have been living for a year together.

Whatever we do, our relationship cannot be hidden for long.

Till now, you’ve had no news from her.

I’m afraid something may be afoot from within. 

Please go back home to her now. 

First, this will please your wife, then we can learn what’s in her mind.

Don’t conceal our relationship from her,

because, as days pass by, this will be very improper.

Hearing her counsel, spoken with calm, 

Thúc Sinh reluctantly made up his mind to go home.  

The next morning he informed his father, who also urged him

to make the trip as soon as possible.

To drink their cups of farewell,  

they went from their spring pavilion to the place of parting.

The Chin river stretch far off in a soft blue strip.

Along the bank, some willow branches hung melancholy. 

They held hands and sighed.

Holding farewell cups to their lips, the words stuck in their throats. 

She said, “Although mountains and rivers separate us,

you need to make the home warm and peaceful, 

before things can run smooth outside. 

It’s difficult to conceal things from observant eyes.

So, don’t cover your eyes and try to catch a bird.

We two are tied by a rather fragile bond.

When you arrived home, prepare to explain things clearly to her.

Even when she becomes upset and raises a storm, 

do tell her that I know my place and recognize her authority.  

This way is much better than to try to conceal our relationship.

Which would only cause very big troubles later on.

If you love me, please remember what I have just said.  

A year’s long but it will eventually pass.

The parting cup’s for us to remember today.

The cup of joy, we’ll wait for this day of next year!”

He mounted the horse; she let go of his dress.

In the maple woods, autumn has spread her color of parting sorrow.

Swirls of dust arose as he rode off. She kept on watching

till he vanished behind thousands of mulberry groves.

The returnee, alone with her shadow throughout the silent night.

The departee, thousand of miles away, alone in some distant place.

Who’d split the lover’s moon into two halves?

Half sunk on her lone pillow, the other half - on the long road…