The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 3/When we Two parted

by George Gordon Byron

WHEN WE TWO PARTED.

1.

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^[1]
Sorrow to this.

2.

The dew of the morning^[2]
Sunk chill on my brow—
It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now.
Thy vows are all broken,^[3]
And light is thy fame:
I hear thy name spoken,
And share in its shame.

3.^[4]

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.

4.

In secret we met—
In silence I grieve,
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee^[5]
After long years,
How should I greet thee?—
With silence and tears.

[First published, Poems, 1816.]

1. Never may I behold
   Moment like this.—[MS.]
2. The damp of the morning
   Clung chill on my brow.—[MS. erased.]
3. Thy vow hath been broken.—[MS.]
4. —— lies hidden
   Our secret of sorrow—
   And deep in my soul—
   But deed more forbidden,
   Our secret lies hidden,
   But never forgot.—[Erasures, stanza 3, MS.]
5. If one should meet thee
   How should we greet thee?
   In silence and tears.—[MS.]