Happy Birthday Lord Byron

The Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know Lord Byron, was one of England's most famous poets. George Gordon Noel Byron was the 6th--and certainly the most prominent--Baron Byron. It appears no one is entirely certain of his birthday, but experts' best guess is that is was January 22, 1788. That was yesterday, so in honor of Lord Byron, I've included one of his poems, which I think is absolutely lovely.

SHE walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets 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.

He may have been a scoundrel, or a hero, but either way, he certainly left his mark!