Poet's Corner

"She Walks in Beauty"

Lord Byron

Poem explanation

1	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:

5	Thus mellowed to that 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,

10	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, so eloquent,

15	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!

Source: Exploring Poetry, Gale, 1997.