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 site
For the ends of being and the 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 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 love thee better after death.
Written by: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
