thus disunited

For a poem that is built upon the theme of separation, Fare Thee Well stands out because of its fluidity and singularity. In numerous other poems Byron seems married to the notion of breakdowns?into stanzas, into paragraphs, into cantos. In this poem, then, Lord Byron goes through both a literal and figurative divorce: while discussing his cruel break with Lady Byron, the poet composes this work, unlike so many others, continuously. Byron?s train-of-consciousness style sets the tone for the poem and reinforces that his heart, ?though bleeding, beat(s).? Perhaps Byron feels that a break from this constant outpour would stop his bleeding heart from beating, and thus he must write with such an unrelenting pace. Still, the poem?s ABAB rhyme scheme shows its composure within this whirlwind format. Byron?s thoughts are at once calculated (?think of him thy love had blessed?) and impulsive (?but the thoughts we cannot bridle/ force their way without the will). By achieving this balance, Byron avoids sounding like a helpless figure; instead, he is able to confidently place an exclamation point at the end of the phrase ?fare thee well!?