"When We Two Parted" by George Gordon Byron

 

When We Two Parted

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.

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poem video👇

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Who wrote the poem "When We Two Parted"?

George Gordon Byron (Lord Byron) (January 22, 1788 – April 19, 1824)

George Gordon Byron, a.k.a. Lord Byron, was an English poet and politician. He was one of the leading figures of Romantic Movement (attempts to dispel the effects of scientific, rational trend and to restore magic and wonder to the humanistic world) and often considered as one of the greatest English poets. He travelled extensively across Europe, which inspired most of his works. He fought in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire and was revered as a national hero by the Greeks. He died at the age of 36 from a fever contracted during the war.

"When We Two Parted" explanation

‘When We Two Parted ’ was written in 1817, the first year of the poet’s exile from England and a year after the separation with his wife. It is unclear whether the poem was written about a particular person or relationship from Byron’s life. It might be about his relationship with his wife or his half-sister, Augusta Leigh, with whom Byron was rumored to have been in a sexual relationship. Or it might be about his regret over his numerous reckless affairs. Still, the poem depicts beautifully the lingering feelings of love, betrayal, and sorrow of a heartbroken lover.