When We Two Parted

            By Lord Byron

When we two parted  

  In silence and tears,  

Half broken-hearted  

  To sever for years,  

Pale grew thy cheek and cold,          5

  Colder thy kiss;  

Truly that hour foretold  

  Sorrow to this.  

The dew of the morning  

  Sunk chill on my brow—                  10

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,                      15

  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?                    20

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—                               25

  In silence I grieve,   

That thy heart could forget,  

  Thy spirit deceive.  

If I should meet thee  

  After long years,                                 30

How should I greet thee?  

  With silence and tears.