The Unfading Beauty

Thomas Carew

He that loves a rosy cheek,
Or a coral lip admires,
Or from starlike eyes doth seek
Fuel to maintain his fires –
As Old Time makes these decay,
So his flames must waste away.
But a smooth and steadfast mind,
Gentle thoughts and calm desires,
Hearts with equal love combined,
Kindle never-dying fires.
Where these are not, I despise
Lovely cheeks or lips or eyes.





She Walks in Beauty
Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless dimes 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 that gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven trees,
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!