Jandy’s Anthology

She Walks in Beauty

by George Gordon, Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
          Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
          Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
          Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
          Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
          Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
          How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
          So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
          But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
          A heart whose love is innocent!

Filed under: 19th-century, Britain, poetry on December 20th, 2006