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 every day'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/sonnet-xliii-how-do-i-love-thee/
