Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 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 every day’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 with a 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 Browning

One comment on “Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How do I love thee?”

1. Rajagopal

   July 26, 2015

   

   This wonderfully passionate poem of Elizabeth Barrett is one of my all-time favourites, Laura, and I thank you for being inspired by it. Many of the poems of Robert Browning brim with optimism and inspiration, only because, so I feel, he had such a beautiful soul mate in Elizabeth Barrett…love and regards your way.. Raj.

   Reply

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