She walks in beauty / 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 mellowed to the tender light
    Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
    Had half impaired 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.

~~
George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)
from Hebrew Melodies, 1815

[Poem is in the public domain worldwide]

Lord Byron biography