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 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 seemed to lose

　　With my lost saints. I love with the breath,

　　Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

　　I shall but love thee better after death.