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 fell 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