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 kill;
          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--
          n 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.


         - Lord Byron