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 every day’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 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 chooses, I shall but love thee better after death.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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