How Do I Love thee

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• BB was an English poet in the Victorian era
• Her first collction of poems was published in 1838
• A collcection of her lastt poems was published by her husabd shortly after her death

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.