When We Two Parted

When, when we two parted
In silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted
To sever for years,
Pale grew your cheek and cold,
Colder your 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.
Your vows are all broken,
And light is your fame;
I hear your name spoken,
And share in its shame.

They name you before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me--
Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew you,
Who knew you so well--
Long I shall rue you,
Too deeply to tell.

Oh memory torture me no more,
The present's all overcast;
My hope of future bliss are over,
In mercy veil the past.

In secret we met--
In silence I grieve,
That your heart could forget,
Your spirit deceive.
How should I greet you?--
With silence and tears.
If I should meet you
After long, long years.
The dew of the morning
Sunk chill on my brow--
It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now.
Your vows are all broken,
And light is your fame;
I hear your name spoken,
And share in its shame.

They name you before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me--
Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew you,
Who knew you so well--
Long I shall rue you,
Too deeply to tell.

Past pleasure doubles present pain,
To sorrow adds regret,
Regret and hope are both in vain,
I ask but to - forget...

Past pleasure doubles present pain,
To sorrow adds regret,
Regret and hope are both in vain,
I ask but to - forget...