Love Poem: Sonnets from the Portuguese 43: 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 candlelight. 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 thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. – Elizabeth Barrett Browning |