She Walks In Beauty: Prose On Grace And Inner Light

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 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,

Or softly lightens o'er her face,

Where thoughts serenely sweet express how pure,

How dear their dwelling place,

And on the 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.