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.

thy name thee before me
a knell to mine ear;
a shudder comes over 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.