How do I love thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning （1806-1861）

　　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 everyday's

　　Most quiet need， by sun and candle-light.

　　I love thee freely， as men strive for Right；

　　I love thee purely¹， as they turn from Praise.

　　I love thee 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.