此詞為記夢之作。作者可能真?zhèn)€做了這樣一個夢,但更可能出于虛構(gòu),實為作者在《人間詞話》中所說的“造境”之作。詞的上片寫“夢中”與其人相見的柔情蜜意;下片寫“覺后”對其人相思的深愁苦恨。合上、下片看,全詞所寫是由夢境回到人間,以夢境的溫馨反襯人間的凄涼。
《蝶戀花》 王國維
昨夜夢中多少恨,
細(xì)馬香車,
兩兩行相近。
對面似憐人瘦損,
眾中不惜搴帷問。
陌上輕雷聽漸隱,
夢里難從,
覺后那堪訊。
蠟淚窗前堆一寸,
人間只有相思分。
Tune: "Butterflies Lingering over Flowers"
How much regret in my dream last night?
I on horseback and you in a carriage,
The two of us drawing closer to each other.
Face to face, you seemed sorry for my haggard look;
Under many eyes, you drew up the curtain to ask for my health.
Then down the road the rumble of your carriage gently died away.
In my dream I find I cannot follow;
Where, on waking, can I have news of you?
By my window, candle's tears have gathered an inch;
Longing, in this human world, is our common lot.