How Do I Love Thee? 

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806—1861) 

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 griefs, and with my childhood’s faith,

I love thee with a love I seem 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.