The Tale of Kiều (Truyện Kiều - Bản Tiếng Anh)

Verses 3000 - END

3000. They never expected to see her on earth!

Together gratefully to Giac Duyen they bowed,

And without delay in her walk they followed.

While struggling through the grass and reed in their march,

They could not help doubting what they had just heard.

3005. Taking the crooked path along the river's curve,

Through the reeds they arrived at the temple's yard.

Giac Duyen raised the voice to call her destined friend,

From inside the room Kieu hastened to get out.

There she looked and saw all of her family:

3010. Her mother and father, gorgeous and healthy,

Her younger sister and brother in good shape,

And young Kim, the lover of her olden days.

Asking herself if she was in present time,

And what her open eyes saw was but a dream!

3015. Tears fell in drops like rain soaking their garments,

While joy and pity mixed with their affections!

Plummeting herself at her old mother's knees,

Kieu sobbed out from head to tail her miseries:

"Ever since I was stray to the alien land,

3020. A weed hurled and tossed by waves for fifteen years!

I thought I'd been drown for good in the river,

And have no hope of seeing you in this life!"

Her parents held her hands and looked at her face,

Their daughter looked the same as the day she left.

3025. After years of exposure to tough weather,

She'd lost somewhat of her vigor and freshness.

No scale could weigh the joy of their reunion,

Greeting words and touching tales were abundant!

Sister and brother lavished her with questions,

3030. While Kim changing from gloom to bliss was watching.

Altogether they kowtowed before Buddha,

Thanking the Great Compassion for her rebirth.

When the palanquin urged them for home return,

Old Vuong ordered that Kieu be escorted too.

3035. She said: "I'm but a kind of fallen flower,

Half my life was spent tasting all bitterness.

I thought myself banished with cloud and water,

Without any hope of such a union day.

Now I'm reborn and found myself among you,

3040. And all the thirst of my heart is satisfied!

As I've retreated to this secluded shrine,

Living among grass and trees befits my age.

The zen taste of salted pickles suits my tongue,

The zen hue of brown clothes suits my nature.

3045. My heart's been extinct of all worldly affairs,