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.