How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, wehn feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need; by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old greifs, and with my childhood's faith.
I lvoe thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.