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 shrudder comes o'er me--

  Why wert thou so dear?

They know not I knew thee,

  Who knew thee so well--

Long, long I shall 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.