Fare Thee Well (poem)

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"Fare Thee Well" is an 1816 poem by George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron.

Background

Lord Byron married and fathered a child with Annabella Milbanke in 1815, but they separated in 1816. In March of that year, Byron composed "Fare Thee Well" and enclosed a note that said, "Dearest Bell --- I send you the first verses that ever I attempted to write upon you, and perhaps the last that I may ever write at all."

In April he signed a Deed of Separation and added the following notation . . .

A year ago, you swore, fond she !
"To love, to honour," and so forth:
Such was the vow you pledged to me,
And here's exactly what 'tis worth.

Byron left England and never saw his wife or daughter again.

References