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 the 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