The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 47: Living with Danger to Sharpen the Sword
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 47: Living with Danger to Sharpen the Sword 

After gratitude repaid and revenge taken, 

her heart felt light as the sea of resentment drained.

She prostrated herself before Lord Từ and thanked him:

My frail self had never dreamed of this satisfaction.

Relying on the power of your thunderous hands, 

my heart is now relieved of a great weight.

Your kindness, I engraved in my bones and heart.

Even if I die for you, I’d still not have paid my debt of gratitude.

Từ said, “the great men since the olden days till now

had never been able to find a soul mate even for just one day.

Bearing the name of a hero,

how could I let go of  injustice that I meet on the road!

Let alone, this is a family affair.

There’s no need for words of deep thanks to show your gratitude. 

I still regret that  your two parents

are separated from you and live in a distant place. 

If I could get them to come here, 

so you and them can be united, then I’m happy.”

He then ordered preparations for a big feast in the camp.

Thousands of soldiers and officers gathered 

to celebrate Kiếu’s redress of injustices suffered. 

Từ had many military successes, one following another.

From then on, his martial might thundered far and wide. 

He had his own kingdom in his corner of the sky.

With his own military and civil government, he divided the empire into two. 

Several times, like sweeping wind and pouring rain, 

his army broke down the walls of the five districts of the south. 

Dangers and perils presented opportunities to sharpen his sword.

Those coat-hanging and rice-bag bodies were nothing to him!

He was supreme master, lord of his  frontier territory.

Although there was several great lords and powerful princes, 

but none dared to challenge his flying banner. 

For five years, he ruled a land bordered by the sea.