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 everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Rights;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use ~

In my old griefs, and with childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints.
I love thee with the breadth, smiles, tears of all my life!

And if God choose,

I shall love thee better after death.

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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