Tu Ba Explains to Kieu how to be a Whore

Can be found here

This passage comes from lines 1199-1226. Kieu is still recovering from So Khanh's betrayal and Tu Ba decides to give her some advice. Tu Ba has a vested interest in Kieu finally submitting to her new profession in the brothel and so she takes on a more conciliatory tone. Kieu listens attentively because at this point she has no other option.

The moon shown brilliantly

Through the mirror-like window,

Tu Ba came, not as foe,

But as one offering advice.

-“The lover’s craft isn't nice,

Tis not an easy, carefree life,

Fortune’ll cut with its knife

If ladies don’t know how to play.”

-“Storms have blown me astray,

Risk my dignity? My own head?

“So be it...” Kieu said.

“Men are all the same,”  Tu Ba explained.

“Before the night has waned

They’ll spend their gold on what they want.

Tricks of the dilettante,

There’re tricks for when your first kissed,

Tricks for late night trysts.

You must learn them, by heart know these,

You’ll keep them up your sleeves,

Seven seductions to bring them in,

Eight tricks to keep’em herein.

Play like the flowering willow,

Comfort them on your pillow,

Don’t be afraid to cast them aside

When they can’t be plied

With more liquor and merriment.

Flirt until they’re spent,

Smile with the corner of your eye,

With your eyebrows make them buy,

Extol praise with him to the moon,

Jokes and jest are your boon.

Now you know the tricks of the house!

Go ahead and lift that blouse,

Become a master of this trade!”

Can be found here

Kieu heard the tirade,

And noted every last detail,

Her rosy cheeks went pale,

Pearly tears rolled off her face.

This life of lust and lace

Made her feel ashamed and shy,

How was she to get by

In such awful and frightening plight?

Pity the girl you might,

She has fallen from nobility,

Gone is her humility,

Now an apprentice to a whore.

How long is it, pore by pore,

For the shamelessness to crease

A youthful face,  feast by feast?

Is this what it has come to?

What window did she go through,

Alas, to be so lost and alone?