The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 50: The Death of  Từ Hải
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 50: The Death of Từ Hải  

Lord Hồ seized the opportunity to play his stratagem.

His troops’d go behind the sending of presents for a sudden attack.

Carrying peace settlement’s banner, the imperial army advanced.

Presents of peace at the front, weapons concealed from behind.

The unsuspecting Lord Tu did not know. 

Donning full ceremonial dress of a high-ranking official, 

he left his camp to surrender.

Lord Ho made a secret sign to his men. On three sides

 were gunshots, and all  four sides were hoisting battle flags.

Caught in a total surprise, even a tiger king 

when fallen into a trap would become helpless.

Từ fought to the death in the battlefield, 

to show his enemies the bravery of a supreme general. 

When his great soul left to join the deities’ abode,

he still stood straight within the circles of enemies!

Firm as stone, hard as bronze,

no one can shake or move his body the slightest hair.  

Imperial troops rushed forward in pursue of the defeated troops.

The smell of death rose high to the sky. 

The ramparts broken, everywhere was total disarray.

Some fleeing men saw Kiều and led her to the place. 

In the midst of flying arrows and stones,

she saw Từ Hải standing there immovable under the sky.

She said, crying: “You are a brave man with a clever mind.

Because you listened to me, you came to this end!

How can I have the face to see you again?

I’d rather die and be with you!”

Her grief poured forth in torrents of tears. 

Her words said, she threw herself, head first, upon the ground.     

How strange it was -  the affinity between two souls in love and wronged.

As she collapsed, the body of Từ fell down.  

Some soldiers who were passing by, 

took pity on Kiều and helped revive her. 

She was then brought to the headquarters.

Lord Hồ on seeing her spoke kindly:

“You’re a frail and defenseless girl,

In this warfare, you’d suffered many blows!

Our military campaign was victorious.

For its success, you also played a part.

Now that everything had been accomplished, 

what would you want to have for your rewards?” 

Her pearly tears poured out even more, in streams.

Hesitantly, she expressed her thoughts and feelings.

“Từ was a great hero. He went his own way 

beneath the wide skies and roamed unchallenged in the open seas. 

Believing in me, he over trusted the promises, and took the self

that’d fought hundreds of battles to become a subject of the king.

He thought that he’d obtain nobility and honors for me,

and never suspected that his flesh and bones would be shattered!

For five year, he’d arrogantly roved between the skies and the seas

but then his body dropped on the field like it was nothing. 

You advised me to tell of my service and ask for rewards.

The more I think of it, the more grievous is my heart.

I felt that I’m much more guilty than deserving.

That was why I had tried to commit suicide.

Please just reward me a modest grave,

to give the man I love his humble resting place.” 

At this request, Lord Hồ felt some pity,

and gave orders for a hasty burial by the riverbank.