Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

How Do I Love Thee?

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 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.