When We Two Parted - George Gordon, Lord Byron  
  
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.  
  
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.  

George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron (1788-1824) ByronShort