Sonnets from the Portuguese XLIII 

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 of Being and ideal Grace. 

I love thee to the level of every day'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 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.