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 LEVEL OF EVERY DAY'S
MOST QUIET NEED,BY SEEN ON 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, AND TEARS OF ALL MY LIFE!~ AND,IF GOD CHOSE
I SHALL BUT LOVE THEE BETTER AFTER DEATH.