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.