[net.poems] For those with a past...

mem (11/05/82)

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            When We Two Parted
            ==================
                        - Lord Byron (1808)

            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're me-
              Why wert thou so dear?
            They knew 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.