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 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.