Haidee by Lord Byron

Haidee

Her brow was overhung with coins of gold
That sparkled o'er the auburn of her hair ;
Her clustering hair, whose longer locks were
rolled
In braids behind; and though her stature
were
Even of the highest for a female mold,
They nearly reached her heels; and in her air
There was a something which bespoke com-
mand,
As one who was a lady in the land.

Her hair, I said, was auburn; but her eyes
Were black as death, their lashes the same
hue,
Of downcast length, in whose silk shadow lies
Deepest attraction ; for when to the view
Forth from its raven fringe the full glance flies,
Ne'er with such force the swiftest arrow flew:
'T is as the snake late coiled, who pours his
length,
And hurls at once his venom and his strength.


Her brow was white and low ; her cheek's pure
dye,
Like twilight, rosy still with the set sun;
Short upper lip sweet lips ! that make us sigh
Ever to have seen such ; for she was one
Fit for the model of a statuary
(A race of mere impostors when all 's done
I 've seen much finer women, ripe and real,
Than all the nonsense of their stone ideal).