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 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