ChineseStudy

Butterflies in Love with Flowers (Liu Yong)

Contents

Text

English translation

I linger against the high tower’s rail as a fine wind passes. I gaze to the far horizon, where a dim spring sorrow seems to rise. Grass and evening haze mingle in the fading light. I lean there without a word—who could understand what fills my mind?

I meant to cast off restraint and drink myself free of care. I sang over the wine, forcing myself to be merry, yet found no taste in it. Though my belt grows loose and longing wears me thin, I do not regret it; for her, I would let myself grow gaunt.

词句注释 · Notes

上片 · First stanza

开篇以高楼、细风和远望写出愁绪的空间感。“春愁”没有立即说明缘由，而是借暮色中的草色、烟光呈现难以言说的心境。

The opening gives sorrow a setting through the tower, fine wind, and distant gaze. It does not explain the cause of “spring sorrow” at once; instead, grass and evening haze make the unspoken mood visible.

下片 · Second stanza

词意由凭栏的无言转入试图借酒排遣，然而“强乐”仍然无味。结尾的“终不悔”把消瘦写成主动承受的选择，表明思念并未因自劝而减轻。

The poem moves from silent watching to an attempt at escape through drink, but forced pleasure tastes empty. “I do not regret it” turns wasting away into a chosen endurance, showing that self-persuasion has not eased the longing.

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