When we two parted

By Lord Byron

Lord Byron, a leading figure of the Romantic movement, was known for his passionate and rebellious life as well as his lyrical poetry. “When We Two Parted” was written in 1816 by Lord Byron. It describes the pain and disillusionment that follow a break-up between the speaker and his lover. Though little detail is provided, it’s implied that the original relationship was secret—most likely an extramarital affair—and that the speaker now feels bitter upon hearing about his lover having an affair with someone else. Most scholars believe this poem to be about Byron’s relationship with Lady Frances Wedderburn-Webster, a married aristocrat with whom Byron had an alleged affair. She was later rumored to have also had an illicit relationship with the Duke of Wellington—a prominent British military leader—which in turn, the theory goes, prompted the writing of this poem.

Text of the Poem.

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.