How Do I Love Thee?
How do I love thee? Let me t the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth a
My soul reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every days
Most quiet need, by sun and dlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive fht;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhoods 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