How Do I Love Thee?

By 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, when feeling out of sight
For the ends and Being of ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quite need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn form Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old grief’s, 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.