Truyện Kiều – The Tale of Kieu (Verses 1160-1195)

Truyện Kiều (Câu 1160-1195)

1160.
Một tay chôn biết mấy cành phù dung.
Đà dao lập sẵn chước dùng,
Lạ gì một cốt một đồng xưa nay…
Có ba mươi lạng trao tay,
Không dưng đâu có chuyện này trò kia.

1165.
Rồi ra trở mặt tức thì,
Liệu nằn nì, chớ sân si thiệt đời”.
Nàng rằng: “Thề thốt nặng lời,
Có đâu mà lại ra người hiểm sâu”.
Còn đương suy trước nghĩ sau,

1170.
Mặt mo đã thấy ở đâu dẫn vào.
Sở Khanh lên tiếng rêu rao:
“Nghe đồn rằng có con nào ở đây.
Phao cho quyến gió rủ mây,
Hãy xem có biết mặt này là ai?”

1175.
Nàng rằng: “Thôi thế thì thôi,
Rằng không thì cũng vâng lời rằng không”.
Sở Khanh quát mắng đùng đùng,
Bứơc vào, vừa rắp thị hùng ra tay.
Nàng rằng: “Trời nhé có hay!

1180.
Quyến oanh rủ yến sự này tại ai?
Đem người dẩy xuống giếng khơi,
Nói rồi, rồi lại ăn lời được ngay!
Còn tiên “Tích Việt” ở tay.
Rõ ràng mặt ấy mặt này chứ ai!”

1185.
Lời ngay đông mặt trong ngoài,
Kẻ chê bất nghĩa người cười vô lương.
Phụ tình án đã rõ ràng,
Dơ tuồng, nghỉ mới kiếm đường tháo lui.
Buồng riêng riêng những sụt sùi,

1190.
Nghĩ thân mà lại ngậm ngùi cho thân.
Tiếc thay trong giá trắng ngần,
Đến phong trần cũng phong trần như ai!
Tẻ vui cũng một kiếp người,
Hồng nhan phải giống ở đời mãi ru!

(English Version)

The Tale of Kieu (Verses 1160-1195)

Author: Nguyễn Du
Translation: Đặng Hoàng Lan

1160. Many a beautiful flower has been plucked by his hand and left to wilt
And now the horrid So Khanh cruelly used saving you as a ruse!
It’s no surprise that a filthy degenerate and a pimp colluded!
She may have paid him as much as thirty liangs for what he did,
If there was no money, surely he would have had you for himself!

1165. Of course there was money because he turned over you immediately!
Just remain submissive, don’t allow yourself to give up and die.”
Kieu responded, “He seemed so sincere, his oath so convincing!
How could a man be so deceitful, to behave so much like a devil!?”
Kieu was still contemplating all that had happened,

1170.
When suddenly, So Khanh brazenly appeared.
He raised his voice to declare broadly and boldly,
“Rumors are spreading that a whore in this place is claiming
I tempted her, that I seduced her as the wind traps the clouds.
Look at this face to know who I really am. I am no seducer!

1175. “Of course, if you say this is the case, that’s all to be said of it.
If you say it never happened, surely, it didn’t.” said Kieu.
So Khanh vehemently gestured to all present,
Stepping closer to her and clenching his fists.
Kieu turned on him shouting, “God always sees what happens!

1180. Enticing me, as a dove or the oriole, desperate and easily seduced,
He led me away, to push me down into the darkness of a deep well.
Uttering sweet words, and now this weak attempt to swallow them!
My hand still holds his paper, which says “Tich Viet”.
It’s certainly none other than the one who has this face.”

1185. Her incriminating words were heard by the surrounding crowd.
People were laughing at him, nodding, believing he is to blame,
And thus he was proclaimed guilty, a liar and a hypocrite.
Being convicted by the mob of degenerates, he ran from the room.
Retreating to her own room, Kieu wept bitterly, saying

1190. “I am filled with loathing and self pity because
Although I am exonerated and my reputation white like the snow,
Still the heavens force me to be adrift, as indeed all people are.
Sorrow and joy are all part of this human existence
And there are no roses that perpetually remain in bloom.