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.