How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breath 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 candle-light;
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passions put to use
In my old grief's, and with my childhood faith;
I love thee with a love I seem 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