The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 24: Sở Khanh’s Brazen Face Reappeared
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 24: Sở Khanh’s Brazen Face Reappeared  

She was still thinking about what’d happened

when his brazen face from somewhere appeared.

Sở Khanh spoke loudly for everyone to hear:

“I heard that some new wench in this place

claimed that I seduced her and led her away.

Let her look at me and see who I really am.”

Kiều said, “Things being as they are, let’s not discuss it.

You say you didn’t do it, so you didn’t. “

Sở Khanh shouted at her with curses and insults.

He came at her, his hands ready to deal blows. 

She exclaimed: “O Heaven! Do you not know

who it was that seduced me, that urged me to flee?

Who led on a girl, then shoved her down the pit.

Who spoke an oath, then immediately ate back his words!

I still have his “Tích Việt” letter in my hands.

Clearly it’s that face of his, and no one else.” 

Her forthright words were heard by many in the house. 

Some called him faithless, others laughed at his lack of conscience. 

The lover’s breach of faith was plain for everyone to see.

Shamefaced, Sở Khanh sought a way to quickly retreat.