How do I love you?

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 candlelight.

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