When We Two Parted

When We Two Parted

Byron

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 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.

When We Two Parted