Truyện Kiều - Nguyễn Du
Do Hương Cau Cao Tân dịch-thuật và biên soạn

The Story of Kiều by Nguyễn Du
Translated and compiled by Hương Cau Cao Tân 21082020

(Kim Trọng thuê nhà - Kiều gặp và trao kỷ-vật với Kim Trọng)

243. Cho hay là giống hữu tình,
Đố ai gỡ mối tơ mành cho xong.

245. Chàng Kim từ lại thư song
Nỗi nàng canh cánh bên lòng biếng khuây.
247. Sầu giong càng khắc càng chầy,
Ba thu dón lại một ngày dài ghê.

249. Mấy lần khóa kín phòng the,
Bụi hồng liệu nẻo đi về chiêm bao.
251. Tuần trăng khuyết, đĩa dầu hao,
Mặt mơ tưởng mặt, lòng ngao ngán lòng.

253. Buồng văn hơi lạnh như đồng,
Trúc se ngọn thỏ, tơ chùng phím loan.
255. Mành tương phân phất gió đàn,
Hương gây mùi nhớ, trà khan giọng tình.

257. Ví chăng duyên nợ ba sinh,
Thì chi đem thói khuynh thành trêu ngươi.
259. Bâng khuâng nhớ cảnh, nhớ người,
Nhớ nơi kỳ ngộ vội dời chân đi.

261. Một vùng cỏ mọc xanh rì,
Nước ngâm trong vắt, thấy gì nữa đâu!
263. Gió chiều như gợi cơn sầu,
Vi lô hiu hắt như màu kháy trêu.

265. Nghề riêng nhớ ít tưởng nhiều,
Xăm xăm đè nẻo Lam kiều lần sang.
267. Thâm nghiêm kín cổng cao tường,
Cạn dòng lá thắm, dứt đường chim xanh.

269. Lơ thơ tơ liễu buông mành,
Con oanh học nói trên cành mỉa mai.
271. Mấy lần cửa đóng then cài,
Dẫy thềm hoa rụng, biết người ở đâu?

(Kim Trọng rent a house - Kiều met and exchanged gifts with Kim Trọng)

243. So it is well-known that if someone is of an amorous type,
That would definitely be caught by the love cord though light.

245. Master Kim, after his coming back to his study hall,
He had borne Kiều in his heart and could do nothing at all.
247. The more he waited, the longer the night seemed to be quite,
As written: "One day without meeting like three years it passes by."

249. He thought she ought to have enclosed her room for her staying,
And perhaps her soul had tried to meet him in her dreaming.
251. He watched the half moon, watched the receding oil of the light,
His face missed hers, his heart wondered if she missed his alike.

253. The study hall seemed to have had coldness in pervading,
Brushes dried up vainly in writing, strings loosened despite trial playing.
255. The wind shook the screens, making him believe her spirit was coming,
Burning scented wood reminded of her, tea was sweet in drinking.

257. "If we had not been destined to meet for three previous lives,
Then why all the meaningfully powerful glances she had sent by."
259. Being dazed in missing the scene, missing her in person,
Missing the meeting place, he then quickly set his feet in motion.

261. On arriving the spot, only a place full of green grass,
Only a limpid stream was seen flowing, everything had come to pass!
263. Afternoon winds were blowing as if rekindling his misery,
Arundinaceous reeds were swaying as if teasing him indifferently.

265. Love longing is like that, missing little, but thinking about it a lot,
As in Lam Kiều’s story, he ought to come to her house’s spot.
267. But her house doors were shut, and well-guarded inside high walls,
No sending leaf messages, pigeons prevented to do their calls.

269. Branches of willows were swaying across the screens sparsely,
An oriole was learning to speak on a tree branch oh so ironically.
271. Peeking through, he could see layers of doors locked carefully,
Fallen flowers were all over the veranda, where could the person be?

277. Lấy điều du học hỏi thuê,
Túi đàn cặp sách đề huề dọn sang
279. Có cây, có đá sẵn sàng,
Có hiên Lãm Thúy, nét vàng chưa phai.

281. Mừng thầm suy ý chữ bài,
Ba sinh âu hẳn duyên trời chi đây.
283. Song hồ nửa khép cánh mây,
Tường đông ghé mắt ngày ngày hằng trông.

285. Tấc gang đồng khóa, nguồn phong,
Tít mù nào thấy bóng hồng vào ra.
287. Nhẫn từ quán khách lân la,
Tuần trăng thấm thoắt nay đà thèm hai.

289. Cách tường phải buổi êm trời,
Dưới đào dường thấy bóng người thướt tha.
291. Buông cầm, xốc áo, vội ra,
Hương còn thơm nức, người đà vắng tanh.

293. Lần theo tường gấm dạo quanh,
Trên đào nhác thấy một cành kim thoa.
295. Giơ tay cất lấy về nhà,
Này trong khuê các đâu mà đến đây?

297. Ngẫm âu người ấy báu này,
Chẳng duyên chưa dễ vào tay ai cầm!
299. Liền tay ngắm nghía biếng nằm,
Hãy còn thoang thoảng hương trầm chưa phai.

301. Tan sương đã thấy bóng người,
Quanh tường ra ý tìm tòi ngẩn ngơ.
303. Sinh đà có ý đợi chờ,
Cách tường lên tiếng xa đưa ướm lòng:

277. On pretext that Kim was a learning student, then a traveller,
He rented it, brought his lute, books, completing his moving over.
279. There were plants, a rock garden, fresh and ready for living,
Lãm Thuý Hiên, Thuý Gathered Porch, words were fresh in their gilding.

281. He felt elated, because if he took the porch’s name to derive,
He might be with Kiều, already destined from three previous lives.
283. Since then he always left the windows in half-opening,
He looked over towards eastern walls day after day in full expecting.

285. So close yet very far, doors were closed, and Elysium was forbidden,
Looking over to faraway, no sight of beauties going or coming.
287. Since the day of his renting the place and his moving,
It had been close to two cycles of moon, so fast in their passing.

289. One beautiful day he heard from the other side of the fence possibly,
The appearing sounds of some lissome beauty under the peach tree.
291. Lute dropping, clothes adjusting, out was he dashing,
Fragrances still heavily lingering, people were already disappearing.

293. Following around along the lovely fence so closely,
He saw a golden hairpin caught on a peach branch loosely.
295. He picked it up, bringing it home, and holding it so dear,
Thinking, "You are from a maiden’s room, why have you come here?

297. Come to think of it, such person, such precious thing,
Without being destined, this is not easily in my hand for holding!"
299. He spent all the time scrutinizing the hairpin, and forgetting sleeping,
And he enjoyed the smell of agarwood, which was still faintly lingering.

301. When the dew just dissipated, the figure of a person was appearing,
Around the walls was she walking and aimlessly searching.
303. Kim, having waited so long for the moment to meet her,
Across the fence, he called out to her, testing the water:

309. Chiếc thoa nào của mấy mươi
Mà lòng trọng nghĩa khinh tài xiết bao!"
311. Sinh rằng: "Lân lý ra vào
Gần đây, nào phải người nào xa xôi!

313. Được rầy nhờ chút thơm rơi
Kẻ đà thiểu não lòng người bấy nay.
315. Bấy lâu mới được một ngày
Dừng chân gạn chút niềm tây gọi là!"

317. Vội về thêm lấy của nhà
Xuyến vàng đôi chiếc khăn là một vuông.
319. Bực mây dón bước ngọn tường,
Phải người hôm nọ rõ ràng chăng nhe?

321. Sượng sùng giữ ý rụt rè,
Kẻ nhìn tận mặt người e cúi đầu.
323. Rằng: "Từ ngẫu nhĩ gặp nhau.
Thầm trông trộm nhớ bấy lâu đã chồn.

325. Xương mai tính đã rũ mòn,
Lần lừa ai biết hãy còn hôm nay!
327. Tháng tròn như gởi cung mây,
Trần trần một phận ấp cây đã liều!

329. Tiện đây xin một hai điều,
Đài gương soi đến dấu bèo cho chăng?”
331. Ngần ngừ nàng mới thưa rằng:
"Thói nhà băng tuyết, chất hằng phỉ phong,

333. Dù khi lá thắm chỉ hồng,
Nên chăng thì cũng tại lòng mẹ cha.
335. Nặng lòng xót liễu vì hoa,
Trẻ thơ đã biết đâu mà dám thưa!"

309. It is well-known the hairpin’s value is worth so little as such,
But a heart preferring righteousness to money is worth so much."
311. Kim said: "In comings and goings, we are already deemed neighbours,
Being close, we are definitely not people to be seen as strangers!

313. By the sheer luck of this lost golden hairpin’s opportunity,
It satisfies my saddened heart which has become saddened lately.
315. I have waited so long for and until this precious day,
Let’s have some private confiding, please do not go away!"

317. He then hurriedly went back to his home to get a few more things,
A pair of golden bracelets, and a silk head cloth saved for giving.
319. Then stepping on a cloud-painted notch in the wall, he climbed over,
Yes, she was truly the person of the other day, no chance for errors.

321. Both were feeling shy, trying to be reserved and timid in their manners,
Kim was staring at her; Kiều was shyly bending her head over.
323. Kim said: "Since the moment of our incidental meeting,
It’s you I have been secretly missing, and that makes me so tiring.

325. My figure has been slowly and gradually wasted away
Without knowing whether or not we could have a chance like today!
327. For a whole month my heart has been with you always, that’s it,
Like a hunter who keeps on waiting for the coming of rabbits!

329. By the way, there is something I would like to ask as a favour,
Would you be kind to formally consider my sincere heart, if ever?"
331. Being surprised, Kiều kept quiet then said to him reluctantly:
"My home’s morale is snow white; and my virtues are preserved daily,

333. When it comes to marriage, despite their children’s arrangements,
Yes or no, it’s always up to the decisions of my parents.
335. Although your love for me makes me feel very deeply touched,
I am still too young to decide upon this important matter as such!"

341. Chút chi gắn bó một hai,
Cho đành rồi sẽ liệu bài mối manh.
343. Khuôn thiêng dù phụ tấc thành,
Cũng liều bỏ quá xuân xanh một đời.

345. Lượng xuân dù quyết hẹp hòi,
Công đeo đuổi chẳng thiệt thòi lắm ru!"
347. Lặng nghe lời nói như ru,
Chiều xuân dễ khiến nét thu ngại ngùng.

349. Rằng: "Trong buổi mới lạ lùng,
Nể lòng có lẽ cầm lòng cho đang!
351. Đã lòng quân tử đa mang,
Một lời vâng tạc đá vàng thủy chung."

353. Được lời như cởi tấm lòng,
Giở kim thoa với khăn hồng trao tay.
355. Rằng: “Trăm năm cũng từ đây,
Của tin gọi một chút này làm ghi.

357. Sẵn tay bả quạt hoa quỳ,
Với cành thoa ấy tức thì đổi trao.
359. Một lời gắn bó tất giao,
Mái sau dường có xôn xao tiếng người.

361. Vội vàng lá rụng hoa rơi,
Chàng về viện sách, nàng dời lầu trang.

341. Now I am asking for your personal consent and agreement,
Then I will find ways to fulfill your said marriage expectations.
343. Even when Heaven does not approve of our sincere hearts,
I would never marry another, would waste my youth and keep my part.

345. If your spring-like generous heart does not approve of me,
Then my work of pursuing you would be in vain, you see!"
347. Kiều remained quiet listening to his talking, as soft as lullaby singing,
As cool as spring winds, this made her scrupulous in her appearing.

349. She said: "We are basically people of newly acquaintance,
Your hearty sincerity leaves me no choice but straight acceptance!
351. Since your gentleman’s heart has taken me in so kindly,
I would agree to vow for an indefectible love forever to be."

353. On hearing this, Kim felt truly overwhelmed with relief,
He handed over the two golden bracelets and head cloth as gifts.
355. And said: "Our love starts today for a hundred years later,
Please kindly accept these mementos as something to remember."

357. As she was holding a lotus-painted paper fan ready in her hand
And her gold hairpin, she lifted them in exchanging with her man.
359. No sooner had they finished exchanging their secret vows,
Sounds of people from the back were heard coming out.

361. In their haste to leave, they caused some leaves and flowers to fall,
She went back to her boudoir, and he did his study hall.