When we two parted
When we two parted In silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted To sever for years,
Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
Colder thy kiss;
Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this.
The dew of the morning Sunk chill on my brow
-- It felt like the warning Of what I feel now.
Thy vows are all broken,
And light is thy fame;
I hear thy name spoken,
And share in its shame.
They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o’er me
-- Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew thee,
Who knew thee too well
-- Long, long shall I rue thee,
Too deeply to tell. In secret we met
-- In silence I grieve,
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee After long years,
How should I greet thee?
-- With silence and tears.