The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 65: The Happy Ending  
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 65: The Happy Ending 

They then held each other’s hands.

They love their spouse’s integrity and felt drunken with Love. 

They lit up another candle and burned more incense.

Together, they drank and touched cups with one another. 

Feelings of past love and present fill the mind and heart.

Kim leisurely asked her about her lute music.

She said, “’Cause of these lute strings, 

my life’d been tangled with the threads of misfortune until now!

I had repented but it was already too late!

However, I will play it for you one more time.”

On the lute strings, her elfin fingers plucked and danced. 

Incense smoke rising, music melody floating near and far.

Which melody is it that sounds so warm with gentle sunshine, 

was it Trang Sinh dreaming of a butterfly or was it the butterfly?

Which melody is it  that flowed the sweet music of love.

Was it the soul of the king of Thục or the cooing of a cuckoo bird?  

So clear like the sound of pearls dropping on a moon-lit bay.

So warm like the sun shining on the jade of Lantian mountain

Listening to the five tones of her lute, 

not a note that did not sound beautiful and heart-stirring.

He asked:  “which hand’s playing this piece?

How come it was so sad then, but now so gay?

Is it because of the feelings in one’s heart, 

or is it because the end of sorrow and the coming of joyous days?”

She replied: “’Cause of this little talent, 

the heart-rending notes had harmed my life for so long!

I just played it this one last time for my bosom friend.

Then I will unstring the lute and put it away.”

They haven’t yet finished their conversation, 

when the crowing of a rooster announcing the dawn is heard.

Of their secret pact, Kim told the family.

Everyone was surprised and praised her.

A woman of noble mind she is, not any flirting woman 

having peach in morning and plum at night. 

They had both love and friendship.

Although not sharing a bed, they shared music and poetry. 

Sometimes they’d drink together or play chess. Sometimes

they’d watch blooming flowers or wait for the moon to rise.

All their wishes had come true in this life.  

Their marriage is also a bonding of intimate friendship.

They remembered their promise and built a temple.

Then sent a relative to invite the nun Giác Duyên.

But when the messenger arrived, he saw the cottage locked. 

The moss’d grown through cracks, and grass spread on the rooftop.

The nun’d gone to gather medicinal herbs in a distant land. 

The cloud’d flown, the crane’d fled, where’d they find her?

But with their gratitude to the nun, 

the incense in the temple is lit day and night. 

Kieu’s family enjoyed both wealth and honor.

Kim moved to  higher rank every few years. 

Vân gave him several heirs, 

and took good care of the children.    

They enjoyed wealth, honors that no family could compare. 

Their house of happiness and joy left its memory for thousands of generations.