
How do I love you? Let me count the ways
I love you 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 you to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light
I love you freely, as men strive for right
I love you purely, as they turn from praise
I love you with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith
I love you with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love you with the breath
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose
I shall but love you better after death ..

