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 everyday's

most quiet need, by sun and candle light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with a 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, tears of all my life!

And if God choose

I shall but love thee better after death.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning