The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 9: The Music of Kiều
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 9: The Music of Kiều

Kim said, “I heard of your famous talent at the moon lute.
If my  Zhong Ziqi ears can have the pleasure of hearing you play.” *
She replied, “Just a small talent, of little worth.
But since you ask, I will gladly obey.”

On the wall, a moon lute’s already hanging. Kim hurriedly

took it down, and raised it  to the level of his eyebrows.

Kiều said, “This’s just a petty and private talent of mine.

Your high regards make my heart feels burdened and surprised.”

She started with the tuning of the lute.
Adjusting the four strings to their musical tone scales.
Whence the melody that revives the Han, Chu battlefields,
the sounds of steel swords clashing can be heard.
Whence the melody of Ssu-Ma’s Love Plea for Phoenix,
isn’t there a tinge of bitterness and sorrow?
Here’s Kuang-Ling melody composed by Chi Kang.
Its music: flowing like a river, floating like the clouds.
Here’s Chao-Chun’s melody on crossing the country’s border.
Half’s longings for the king, half’s for her home.
Clear like the sound of a crane flying by.
Thick like the waterfall in the middle of its descent.
Unhurried like a gentle breeze passing outside the door.
Quick and hurried like it’s raining hard and heavy.

* Refers to the legendary friendship between guqin master Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi, his woodsman friend. This frienship is conmemmorated in the famous chinese music piece “High Mountains, Flowing Water”.

The oil lamp sometimes bright, sometimes dark.
Making the person sitting there also feels sad.
Sometimes he rested his elbows on his knees.
Sometimes he bowed his head.
Sometimes his insides felt all twisted up.
Sometimes his eyebrows curled up in a frown.
He said, “It’s good, exceedingly good.
But it’s so full of bitterness and sorrow.
Why play such a mournful piece
to make your heart heavy and the listener’s unsettled.” 

Kiều replied, “A bad habit I’m accustomed to.

Sad or joyous, it’s my endowed nature, what can I do!

But your words are golden advice, I will keep them in my heart.”

Kim said: “Please do try to make it less bitter and distressful.”