She Walks in Beauty

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!

 

Published in Hebrew Melodies, 1815.