SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY
Byron attended a party at Lady Sitwell’s house in June 1814. Among the guests was Anne Beatrix Wilmot, the wife of Byron’s first cousin, Sir Robert Wilmot. Recently widowed, she attended the party in a deep black, spangled mourning dress. Byron was immediately captivated by her beauty.
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| NightCafe AI creator – artistic representation of Mrs Wilmot in mourning dress |
“When he returned to his rooms in Albany* he said little, but desired Fletcher (his valet) to give him a tumbler of brandy, which he drank at once … then retired to rest, and was, I heard afterwards, in a sad state all night. The next day he wrote those charming lines upon her – ‘She walks in beauty like the night’
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 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!
This beautiful poem is open to personal interpretation. For me, the theme revolves around the concept of holistic beauty as a harmonious blend of light and darkness reflecting both physical and inner spiritual beauty … and more!
Stanza 1 – compares her to a clear, starry night, observing the balance of light and dark in her appearance
Stanza 2 – moves from her external beauty to her inner virtues
Stanza 3 – concludes by connecting a woman’s outward beauty to her innocent heart and inner peace
Composing poetry at night was in fact often part of Byron’s nocturnal routine. He was a ‘night owl’ with a strong urge to empty his mind – especially after parties! He often dined late and would sit musing in his study seeking inspiration and writing poetry the following morning.
The lyrical poem was published in 1815 as part of the Hebrew Melodies collection.
*Albany was a prestigious, private apartment complex, located in the heart of Piccadilly, London. A mansion house converted into exclusive self-contained apartments for men of rank and wealth.
