Vietnam, 20th century Placet in the form of a yellow silk pouch with polychrome, gold and silver thread-embroidered decoration of unfurled facing dragons, and a carp above foaming waves around a cartouche with calligraphic motifs Vạn thọ vô cương (萬壽無疆, "A thousand longevity without discontinuity" opening onto a four-page fold-out document. Each page is adorned with a dragon among clouds painted in gold. The text entitled Bài chúc khánh đản đức hoàng tử, "Birthday wishes for the imperial prince", was written by the inspector (kiểm bá) of the Imperial Academy of Hàn Lâm viện, Nguyễn Tụy Thân, of Da Ngủ commune, Văn Giang district, Bắc Ninh province. It takes the form of a handwritten lục bát poem of sixty-eight verses. The lục bát ("six - eight") is a traditional Vietnamese poetic form originating in oral folk literature. The most famous lục bát in Vietnamese literature is Kim Vân Kiều by Nguyễn Du (1765-1820). The lục bát consists of alternating hexasyllabic and octosyllabic versification, with its own rhyming system: the last foot of the 6-foot verse rhymes with the 6th foot of the following 8-foot verse, then the 8th foot of this verse rhymes with the last foot of the following 6-foot verse and so on. * Pocket size. 21.7 x 15.5 cm Closed size. 20.2 x 13.2 cm Congratulatory Poem for the Birth of the Imperial Prince An egg hatches into a noble dragon, Vietnam is ablaze with the fires of tomorrow. The people awaken and unite, Mount Ngu fogs, the Huong River shines. In the Tu palace, a lunar mirror shines, Two Quoc Thai reigns make the light vibrate. From the cradle, the young ruler dreamed of the West, of higher learning. There he found greatness and intelligence, and returned laden with peace and hope. How many beauties, adorned with victorious radiance, Dreamed of the golden chariot that leads to sweet happiness. Each hoped, with her youth, To be elected, one morning, to the Palace of the West From North to Center he followed his path, And found love in more serene days. Since he sealed that vow by Lam Bridge, His heart beats for the skies of Tay Nam. Once, still young, Queen Nam Phuong left for the West. How often, joyfully, they stretched out their hands, Braving wind and tide to find their way. The King, returning to the Court, chose a day of great pomp and asked for her hand in marriage. The oath engraved in the mountains and the sea, Blossomed in spring under the sky of Quang Palais. Center and South, linked by marriage, Unite under the wind's gentle perfume. The spring breeze scented Da Lat, where the young dragon, bearer of the mandate, was born. It was year ten of the Bảo Đại reign, December ten, a balmy morning, at six o'clock. On Ngo Mon, the dawn brushed the flag Bảo Long appeared, carried by the most beautiful torch. Today, the four seas are in harmony, And the universe celebrates this blessed birth. Contemplating the four united generations, In front of Van Tho, the Palace shines with harmonies. First wish, that the nation be prosperous and united The still-fragile peace grows stronger by notice. Second wish, for a reign of limitless age, gold and jade grow in the fields Third wish, for the Queen Mother of long days Like Avalokiteshvara carrying the child in her lap Fourth wish, for the race of Dragon and Fairy, From a sacred egg of four millennia. Fifth vow, for mountains and seas to rest, A dynasty to rise, a hundred years to fall. Sixth vow, for ties forever loyal, The Franco-Vietnamese united in harmony Seventh vow, that the capital be in jubilation, And that everywhere resound the joy of promises. Eighth wish, that the Ngo Mon Gate opens, And the four seas return to the Court. Ninth wish, for the rite at Nam Giao, The garb of yesteryear gleams, pure as jade. Tenth vow, for royal perfumes, Carried by the breeze, sprinkled with sweet waters. Faithful subject, sincere in heart, I once offered spring vows. Once, the fifty years of Thanh Tho, Where deserving mandarins were rewarded. A first-rate Kim Tien offered by emperor And allegiance still weighs on my heart. Today, a branch of clear jade buds, And my faithful soul bows at your feet, sincere. The clouds stretch, deep and endless, Tuy Than, your humble servant, Exposes his devotion to the Sovereign. Bac Ninh province, Van Giang district, Da Ngu commune Servant Nguyen Tuy Than, archivist of the Imperial Academy Bows with respect. (Translation of the poem by Madame Nguyen Phuong Hoa)