Sonnets from the Portuguese - 43
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 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.
