The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 38: Thúc and Kiều’s Last Bosom Talk
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 38: Thúc and Kiều’s Last Bosom Talk 

For a long time, Thúc Sinh concealed his sighs and complaints.

One day when Miss Hoạn visited her kinsfolk, 

he used the opportunity to sneak out

and went straight to the garden temple to see Kiều.

Thúc sobbed and sobbed his heart out.

His tears felt in streams and wetted his green dress.

He said, “I’m ashamed for betraying your trust, 

and let you alone suffer the consequences of our love.

Outwitted by a woman, my heart pained at seeing you 

so badly treated, but I was at a loss on how to tell the truth.

Because of me, you have come to this grief.

Precious jade covered in mud, a life wasted in its youth!

Dangers and difficulties, I do not mind facing,

since I wanted to be with you, in death and in life. 

But I still owe my parents and ancestors an heir.

With clenched teeth, I had to break our bond into two.

I’m ashamed of breaking my vow of love.

Could my next hundred future lives redeem my unkept pledge? 

She replied, “I’m like a raft in stormy waters, 

floating and sinking depends on the winds of Fortune!

Struggling a life in the muddy sand, 

how would it make sense for me to think of love? 

Like a drop of rain falling to some random place on the ground, 

my life’s just a pitiable sight for spectators to watch and chat about!

But the lute and the strings did come together, 

If not for a lifetime, our love had lasted for more than a day.

Please find a way for me to leave this place.

That’d prove your great love, and you’ll earn my deepest gratitude. Thúc replied, “For a long time, I’ve thought

that the insidious human heart (his wife) is unfathomable.

If and when a raging storm breaks out,

you’d be harmed, and I’d be grieved.

Seek your freedom. Run away from here, as far as you can. 

Our love is only thus lasting!

Soon, we shall be going very different paths.

When could we ever resume our mountain-and-river oaths again?

Even if the river runs dry, stone worn out

A dying silkworm still clings to its silk thread!”

They talked about the past and the future.

They talked and talked but still not enough time

to express their feelings for each other.

While eyes locking with eyes and hands holding hands, 

they heard the alarm signal from the altar maid 

that someone was approaching.

He gulped down his sorrow and shame, then walked away.

Miss Hoạn, coming from some place,

 had already made her way through the flowers.

She smiled sweetly and spoke with honeyed tone:

“Darling, Have you been out here taking a walk?”

He thought for an excuse, then answered: 

“While gathering flowers, my feet wandered here,

so I stayed and watched the nun copied the sutras.”

She praised Kiều: “Her calligraphy’s beautiful.

It’s comparable with Lanting Xu print. 

It’s a shame that she’s a drifting flower, a homeless wanderer.

A thousand liangs of gold is worth it to buy her talents.

After they finished drinking red plum tea,

husband and wife returned to Thúc’s study.

Feeling ashamed and abandoned,

Kiều whispered to the maid, Flower, asking her what’d happened.