Tea and Other Good Things: 13/12/2009

Tuesday 15 December 2009

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.

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning