How Do I Love Thee

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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.

Notes:

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) was an English poet of the Victorian era, popular in Britain and the United States. "How Do I Love Thee?" (Sonnet 43) likely is her most famous poem today. It is part of her Sonnets from the Portuguese cycle, and was written during her courtship with Robert Browning.

[Image: Elaine The Fair (Élaine la Juste)(1911) by William Ladd Taylor (1854-1926), an American artist and illustrator. This work illustrates Elaine the Fair of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King". Elaine of Astolat, also known as Elayne of Ascolat and other variants of the name, was a figure in Arthurian legend. A lady from the castle of Astolat, she died of her unrequited love for Sir Lancelot.]

The Smart Witch by Elizabeth