How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning 1806 – 1861

  • 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.