Here's a breakdown:
* Beautiful: This refers to something that is visually appealing, charming, or pleasing to the senses.
* Baleful: This means harmful, threatening, or ominous. It carries a sense of danger and negativity.
Putting it together: This phrase creates a paradox, suggesting something that attracts and captivates, but also poses a risk.
Here are some examples:
* A beautiful but baleful smile: A smile that seems charming and alluring, but actually hides malicious intent.
* A beautiful but baleful prophecy: A prediction that is presented in a poetic and compelling way, but foretells a devastating future.
* A beautiful but baleful storm: A storm that exhibits breathtaking beauty, but also holds the potential for destruction.
The phrase "beautiful but baleful" often highlights the duality of nature, where beauty can coexist with danger. It's a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that what seems harmless might hold a hidden threat.