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.
Listen to this poem |
Read by Val Grimm · Source: Librivox.org |
About the poet |
Elizabeth Barrett Browning |
By the same poet |
Love |
Rosalind's Scroll |
The Deserted Garden |
Consolation |
Sonnets from the Portuguese (i) |
Sonnets from the Portuguese (ii) |
Sonnets from the Portuguese (iii) |
Sonnets from the Portuguese (iv) |
Sonnets from the Portuguese (v) |
A Musical Instrument |
Related books |
Elizabeth Barrett Browning at amazon.co.uk |