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 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.

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning