| 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 each 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 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. |
This poem was transcribed from the text Golden Poems, by British and American Authors edited by Francis F. Browne. This book was first published in 1881 and then reprinted in the United States in 1971. The poem can be found on page 152. If you would like to find other websites for Mrs. Browning, please go to the following page {Links}.