How do I love thee ? Let me count the ways. <br />I love thee to the depth and breadth and height <br />My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight <br />For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. <br />I love thee to the level of everyday's <br />Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. <br />I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; <br />I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. <br />I love thee with the passion put to use <br />In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. <br />I love thee with a love I seemed to lose <br />With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath, <br />Smiles, tears, of all my life !--and, if God choose, <br />I shall but love thee better after death.<br /><br />Elizabeth Barrett Browning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/xliii/
