Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know: Birthday Bidings for Byron!

Celebrating Lord Byron's 236th birthday!

Portrait of Lord Byron by Richard Westall

Lord Byron [George Gordon Byron] (January 22, 1788 – April 19, 1824)

She Walks in Beauty
by Lord Byron (George Gordon)

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!

Listen to “She Walks in Beauty” read by Marianne Faithfull (with music by Warren Ellis):

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Lord Byron in Albanian Dress by Thomas Phillips

So We'll Go No More a Roving
by Lord Byron (George Gordon)

So, we'll go no more a roving
   So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
   And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
   And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
   And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
   And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a roving
   By the light of the moon.

Listen to “So We’ll Go No More a Roving” read by Marianne Faithfull (with music by Warren Ellis):

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Portrait of Lord Byron by Henry Pierce Bone (After William Edward West)