How Do I Love Thee

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 every day'sMost 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 with a passion put to useIn 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.

- by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING