How Do I Love Thee

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and the 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 every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

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 but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning