How Do I Love Thee? "Sonnets from the Portuguese" by Elizabeth Barret Browning (1806 - 1861) How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and Ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday'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 griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seem 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.