When We Two Parted

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.